596 ON THE "WILD SHEEP OF CYPRUS. [Dec. 2. 



well defined, so that if cut across a triangular section would be shown ; 

 in 0. ophion the fronto-orbital edge is so rounded off as to be almost 

 obliterated, the rugosities of the horn are not so well marked, and 

 the entire horn is slenderer than in O. gmelini. 



The present specimen of Ovis ophion (Plate LVIII.) may be 

 described as follows : — 



General colour rufous fawn above, white beneath, with an indi- 

 stinct black line along the middle of the back for a short distance 

 behind the withers, and a narrow blackish line along the sides, con- 

 tinued on the thighs, separating the red colour of the upper surface 

 from the white of the belly ; an indistinct saddle-patch on ribs 

 formed by a few scattered white hairs. A broad black line down 

 the centre of the breast, with a tendency to become a patch on the 

 lower throat'. Front of fore legs above the knees blackish. Tail 

 short, and black towards the tip. Dark patches inside the lower 

 thighs just above the hocks. Ears small, and covered with very 

 short grey hairs ; inside white. Forehead, upper nose, and area in 

 front of eyes dusky brown. Nose, chin, and throat white. Small 

 suborbital pits. Height 26^ inches ; age 7 or 8 years. Horns 23 

 inches measured along fronto-nuchal edge. 



1 In the specimen belonging to Lord Lilford the black hair on the lower 

 throat is about two inches long. In this specimen it is no longer than the hair 

 on the side of the neck. The difference may be seasonal or a mark of age. 



