IZIl 



PREFACE. 



TH E translation of the following work was 

 made with no view to publication, but was designed 

 merely for private use, to instruct and direct several 

 persons immediately connected with the translator, in 

 the conduct and management of sheep. 



The author of the work, M. Daubenton, a philoso- 

 pher, a man of letters, and profound naturalist, did 

 not think the subject unworthy of minute attention, 

 or public notice : nor did the nation to which he be- 

 longed, fail to honour, respect and reward him for this 

 effort of his genius, industry, and patriotism : he 

 was placed at the head of two learned, important 

 establishments ; one in the college of France, for the 

 promotion of natural history in all its branches ; the 

 other, at the veterinary school for teaching of Rural 

 Economy, at Alfort : He was for a long time, the 

 friend, companion, and assistant of the celebrated 

 naturalist, M. Buffon, at his residence on the moun- 

 tain of Montbard, and at Paris, who, in speaking of 

 him, said, that M. Daubenton had the peculiar qualifi- 





