22 A P P E N D I X, No. II. 



the d'lCtvidi of Buchan, in Aberdeenfliire : But at prefent 

 it cannot be found in eltiier of thefe phces. No veftige of 

 this kind of flieep has been found in Elkdale for many years 

 paft : But in the moft mountainous parts of Aberdeenfliire, 

 It is known, that feme of thefe flieep ftill were to be found 

 tolerably pure, about forty years ago. They are now, how-- 

 ever, there alfo (o much adulterated, as fcarcely to leave a 

 mark of their former qualities. The fame may be faid of 

 the Weft Highlands, where, though fome fine-wool'd. 

 iheep do ftill remain, yet they are debafed j and every day 

 pdds to the degree of deterioration. Even in the Wejiern 

 IJles^ the furor of improvement has fo generally prevailed, 

 that it is believed none of them contain the breed entirely 

 unmixed, though the flieep are there Icfs debaled than on 

 the main Und ; and it is not impoffible, but by a diligent 

 fearch there, fome of them fnight ftiii be found that have 

 jiot been much debafed. 



If this breed of fheep fcIU exifls entirely unmixed any 

 where, it is in the Shetland Ifles ; but, even there, it is up- 

 on the very verge of being irrecoverably loft. A mixt 

 breed very generally prevails in thefe iflands, and no care 

 is taken to prevent the beft from being debafed. Several 

 r.ttempts to improvey as it has been called, their breed, by 

 introducing foreign flieep into thefe iflands, have been 

 made ; and one in particular, of modern date, has been at- 

 tended with confequences that threaten to be very fatal. A 

 difeafe has been by that means introduced among the flieep, 

 thathas already killed many, and threatens the remainder with 

 defi;ruclion. Still, however, a conflderable number are alive. 

 In fome remote corner among thefe iflands, where the flieep 

 have been neglected, it is not impofllble, but a few indivi- 

 duals of the true fine-wool'd breed may yet be obtained, if 

 proper meafures fliall be adopted for difcovering and prefer- 

 ring them. The value of that wool is well known. It has 

 been admired by all who have had accefs to fee It ; but no 



attempts 



