322 UNGULATA. 



sometimes suffocated by the snow, but at others they 

 have been discovered grazing under the deep drifts, 

 having thawed an open space under the snow with the 

 heat of their bodies. 



An instance is known of Sheep having been found 

 alive after being thirty-eight days under the snow, 

 but they had eaten each others' wool. 



In France, in 1889, there were about 22,000,000 Sheep. 

 In Spain, in 1889, there were about 16 millions. In 

 the Australian colonies there were about 80 millions. 



In Australia the flocks number about 2,000 each, and 

 are herded. In New Zealand they number 10,000 to 

 20,000, and are rarely herded, but are allowed to wander 

 about, and are penned once or twice a year. 



In the United States there are about 43,000,000 Sheep, 

 and in the Dominion of Canada about 3,000,000. 



On the whole globe there are about 500,000,000 

 Sheep and Lambs. 



In England the well-known Lincoln and Leicester 

 Sheep furnish the heaviest fleeces. These skins are 

 collected annually in December and January. 



The length of the wool ranges from 5 to 9 inches, 10 

 inches being an exceptional length. The price ranges 

 from 10s. to 14s. per skin. On arrival at a Sheep- 

 skin dresser's factory, the skins are counted, then struck 

 on the head and every part of the skin where any fatty 

 or meaty substance still adheres, in order to loosen it. 

 The skins are then washed, dried, and limed ; they 

 are next stretched on frames in hot rooms, causing the 

 grease to absorb the lime, and are then allowed to cool. 

 In this state they may be stacked for months or even 

 years. 



To finish the skins they are again washed, and 

 stretched on frames, fleshed with a circular knife, and 



