THE SHEEP. 27 



which they are scarcely seen. A ram will then boldly 

 attack a dog, and generally prove the victor. Should 

 several dogs or foxes appear, the sheep form themselves 

 into a compact body, the males taking the foremost 

 ranks, keeping closely together, and presenting a deter- 

 mined front to the foe, while the females and the young 

 are placed behind. The rams advance in order on their 

 assailants ; and when these have come within a certain 

 distance, they rush forward, and generally destroy them. 

 A traveller in Scotland says : " I was one day 

 climbing the mountain of Belrinnis. On reaching the 

 top, I found myself in a cloud, whence I could not see 

 any object distinctly at the distance of more than a few 

 yards. As there was a fine breeze, I hoped that the 

 cloud would disperse ; and, although I felt exceedingly 

 cold and hungry, I resolved to remain there a little 

 while. While I was walking about to keep myself 

 warm, I perceived something of an uncommon appear- 

 ance at a little distance from me, and I approached it, 

 not indeed without fear. I found it to be a phalanx of 

 sheep, drawn up at the top of the hill, and ready to de- 

 fend themselves against attack. They were arranged 

 in a kind of wedge, presenting its blunt end foremost ; 

 in the middle of the line was a large ram with a black 

 forehead, and a tremendous pair of 'horns ; a number of 



