672 THE SHEEP. 



Attempts have been made to domesticate this valuable animal in Europe, but without 

 real success. It will unite with the Angora Goat and produce a mixed breed, from which 

 may be procured very soft and fine wool, that is even longer and more plentiful than 

 that of the pure Cashmir Goat. As a commercial speculation, however, the plan does 

 not seem to have met with much success. 



There are at least forty acknowledged varieties of the Goat, among which may be 

 mentioned the BERBURA, or RAM SAGUL, of India, a Goat which is remarkable for being 

 destitute of beard and for the large dewlap which decorates the throat of the male. Its 

 ears are very short, and its smooth fur is white, mingled with reddish-brown. The 

 SYRIAN GOAT is notable for the extreme length of its ears, which hang downwards, and 

 when the animal raises its head nearly touch the shoulders. The SPANISH GOAT is 

 destitute of horns, and the MARKHUR, or SNAKE-EATING GOAT, of India and Thibet is 

 celebrated for its large and exquisitely twisted horns, which are not dissimilar to those 

 of the koodoo, only twisted in the opposite direction. 



FROM time immemorial, the SHEEP has been subjected to the ways of mankind, and 

 has provided him with meat and clothing, as well as with many articles of domestic 

 use. The whole carcass of the Sheep is as useful as that of the ox, and there is not a 

 single portion of its body that is not converted to some beneficial purpose. The animal 

 as we now possess it, and which has diverged into such innumerable varieties, is never 

 found in a state of absolute wildness, and has evidently derived its origin from some 

 hitherto undomesticated species. In the opinion of many naturalists, the mouflon may 

 lay claim to the parentage of our domestic Sheep, but other writers have separated the 

 mouflons from the Sheep, and placed them in a different genus. 



In many of its habits, especially in its rock-climbing propensities, it bears a strong 

 resemblance to the Goats, to which animals it is closely allied. Whenever the flock 

 can have access to elevated spots, they may always be seen perched upon the highest 

 and most precipitous spots, and seem to take a curious pleasure in exposing themselves 

 to the risk of being dashed to pieces. Mr. Bell mentions that he has seen a Sheep 

 and her lamb perched nearly half-way down one of the lofty rocks that border the 

 south-western side of the Isle of Wight. He was at first alarmed by the apparent danger 

 in which the frail little creature was placed, but was re-assured by the boatman, who 

 looked on the circumstance as nothing uncommon. Some of these Sheep will boldly 

 descend the cliff in search of herbage until they nearly reach the sea level, and are in no 

 way dismayed at the prospect of re-ascending the terrible cliffs down which they have 

 come. 



Although the Sheep is generally considered to be a timid animal, and is really so when 

 forced into adverse circumstances and deprived of its wonted liberty, it is truly as bold 

 an animal as can well be seen, and even in this country gives many proofs of its courage. 

 If, for example, a traveller comes unexpectedly upon a flock of the little Sheep that 

 range the Welsh mountains, they will not flee from his presence, but draw together into 

 a compact body, and watch him with stern and unyielding gaze. Should he attempt 

 to advance, he would be instantly assailed by the rams, which from the first line in such 

 cases, and would fare but badly in the encounter. A dog, if it should happen to accom- 

 pany the intruder, would probably be at once charged and driven from the spot. 



Even a single ram is no mean antagonist when he is thoroughly irritated, and his 

 charge is really formidable. Sheep differ from Goats in their manner of fighting ; the 

 latter animals rear themselves on their hind legs, and then plunge sideways upon their 

 adversary, while the former animals hurl themselves forward, and strike their opponent 

 with the whole weight as well as impetus of the body. So terrible is the shock of a ram's 

 charge, that it has been known to prostrate a bull at the first blow. Nor is the Sheep 

 only combative when irritated by opposition, or when danger threatens itself. A Sheep 

 that had been led into a slaughter-house, has been known to turn fiercely upon the 

 butcher as he was about to kill one of its companions, and to butt him severely in order 

 to make him relinquish his grasp of its friend. 



The Sheep does not seem to be so intelligent as the Goat, and has a curious habit of 

 always following the individual who happens to be the leader, even though he should rush 



