THE HIGHLAND SHEEP. 677 



answer is, that the fleece is imbued with a peculiar secretion from the skin, which is 

 technically called the " yolk," and which repels the action of water. Upon the quantity 

 of this " yolk," the quality of the wool greatly depends. 



The custom of annually depriving the Sheep of its wool by means of shears is of 

 very ancient origin, and still holds its ground. But within a comparatively n 

 period, the poor creatures were even in this country barbarously stripped of their 

 warm coats by main force, the operators grasping large handfuls of the wool and 

 dragging it from the body. This operation was called "rowing," and those who are 

 learned in old English ballad lore will remember many passages where refeivn 

 this cruel custom may be found. The Latin word for wool, " vellus," is derived from 

 the verb u vellere," to pluck out, and evidently refers to the same custom. 15v that 

 cruel mode of action, the Sheep owner was generally a bad economist, for the 

 injury to the more delicate animals was so severe that their sensitive skins were unable 

 to resist the effects of the weather, and the death of the poor creature was often the 

 result. 



The milk of the Sheep is not held in very much estimation, and is in these d;iys 

 almost invariably yielded to the lambs. It is, however, of very good flavor, but 

 singularly rich, having, indeed, more of the consistency of true cream than the generality 

 of the white liquid which passes under that name in the metropolis. 



THE hardy, active, and endurant variety of the domestic Sheep which inhabit the 

 Highlands of Scotland, partake in a great degree of the characters of the wild animal, 

 and demand a specially trained shepherd to watch over them. 



Pasturing together in enormous herds, and living upon vast ranges of bleak, hilly 

 country, the light and active HIGHLAND SHEEP is a very intelligent and independent 

 creature, quite distinct in character from the large, woolly, unintellectual animal that 

 lives only in the fold, and is regularly supplied with its food by the careful hand of iis 

 guardian. It is very sensitive to atmospheric influences, and is so ready in obeying the 

 directions of its own instinct, that a good shepherd when he first rises in the morning 

 can generally tell where to find his Sheep, merely by noticing the temperature, the 

 direction of the wind, and the amount of moisture in the air and on the ground. As 

 the Highland Sheep is able to wander to considerable distances from its proper home, 

 the shepherd is aided in his laborious task by several of those wonderful dogs whose 

 virtues and powers have already been recorded in the course of this work. 



Much of the disposition of the flock depends upon the temperament of the shepherd. 

 An irritable or impatient man will speedily render his flock almost as unmanageable as 

 his own temper, while he who is gentle and patient, though resolute and firm, will have 

 his charge so thoroughly under control, that his very presence will, in many instances, 

 cause them to do his bidding, even without calling in the aid of his dogs. One prolific 

 source of trouble to the Scotch shepherd is a locomotive propensity which is inherent in 

 Sheep, and which prompts them to quit their own ample boundaries and trespass upon, 

 those of their neighbors. Towards evening, when the flocks are inspected, this propen- 

 sity becomes very annoying, and cannot be restrained by bad managers. Others, who 

 understand the Sheep nature, and shape their conduct accordingly, will quietly move 

 towards the boundary without being followed by the dogs, and by a series of gentle 

 manoeuvres entice the Sheep in the proper direction. In a very short time the shep- 

 herd establishes the custom, and whenever he moves towards the boundary, the Sheep 

 instinctively recede. 



The life of a Highland shepherd is necessarily one of great hardship, and is generally 

 borne with admirable fortitude. In order that the man may feel a personal interest 

 in the flock which is placed under his care, he is permitted to hold a property in a 

 certain number of Sheep, which he may feed on his master's ground without payment. 

 Sometimes he has the little flock of others to watch over as well as those of his own 

 especial charge, so that the neighbors, far and few between as they are, can all have a 

 fellow interest in the welfare of the Sheep. Each shepherd is generally in possession 

 of a little flock consisting of ten to fifty or sixty Sheep, together with pasturage for a 

 few cows, 



