HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 67 



known, that this breed of Sheep have a greater 

 quantity of mutton, in proportion to the offal, than 

 any other kind we know of, and is consequently 

 cheaper to the consumer. 



[The drawing from which the preceding cut was 

 taken, was made by Mr. Bailey, of Chillingham, 

 soon after the Sheep had been shorn.] 



Before we quit this article, we must take notice 

 of a breed of Sheep which have hitherto been but 

 little known or attended to; although, it is pro- 

 bable, they possess advantages of equal importance 

 with those we have just mentioned ; and, in all 

 likelihood, they might have continued still longer 

 in the same neglected state, but for the endeavours 

 of a set of men, who actuated by a truly patriotic 

 zeal, are labouring to draw out the natural resources 

 of their country, and secure, to the most distant and 

 long-neglected parts of this kingdom, those per- 

 manent advantages to which they are by their 

 situation entitled. In pursuing these important 

 objects, the Highland Society of Scotland have dis- 

 covered, that the Shetland Islands, and some parts 

 of the Highlands of Scotland, are in possession of 

 a breed of Sheep, which produces wool infinitely 

 superior to that of any other in the kingdom, and 

 equal to Spanish wool in fineness and texture. By 

 order of the society, specimens of these Sheep have 

 been obtained, for the purpose of a fair investiga- 

 tion into the nature and quality of their wool, which, 

 upon examination, proves much finer than was at 

 first imagined. We are favoured, by Dr. James 

 Anderson, with the following particulars : 



