10 THE REPORT, &c. 



tention paid to that great and valuable fourcc 

 of national wealth and induftry. 



The Committee Vv^ill now fubmit to the con- 

 fideration of the Directors the meafures, which, 

 they are humbly of opinion, might be of efien- 

 tial fervice in promoting fo important an objed, 

 as the prefervation and extenfion of this valu- 

 able fpecies of fneep, the laft remnant of the 

 ancient breed of Scotland. 



1. It feems to be very defirable for the Di- 

 rectors to have ocular infpedion both of the 

 beft breed of Shetland fheep, and of the fmeft 

 wool which they produce. For that purpofe, 

 it is fuggefted, that a fum be laid out from the 

 funds of the Society, in the purchafe of wool 

 and fheep, to be fent by the firft fhips from 

 Shetland to Leith. MefT. Nicolfon and Mori- 

 fon have very obligingly promifed to lay out 

 the money to the beft advantage ; and Dr An- 

 derfon, v>^ho refides at Leith, has offered to take 

 the flieep and wool under his care, until they 

 are called for by the Directors. 



2. It feems proper to have the fulleft and 

 moft authentic information refpeQing the hifto- 

 ry, the real nature, and qualities of the Shetland 

 fheep in general, and more efpecially of thofe 

 which produce the fineft wool ; and alfo fimilar 

 accounts of the fheep of the Weftern Iflands, 

 which are fuppofed to have been originally the 



fame. 



