258 



was the first to show that by crossing these two species, a self-sup- 

 plying, permanent race of animals cannot be produced. 



That he was the first to demonstrate, by actual measurement, that 

 as fine wool can be grown in the United States, as in any country in 

 the world. 



From the results of his examination of a great number of speci- 

 mens of wool from various parts of this country, he claims to have 

 discovered that by drawing a diagonal line, across the United States, 

 corresponding somewhat with the line of tidewater, one may point 

 out the respective districts where the woolly and the hairy sheep may, 

 and may not, be bred with success. 



The Committee do not propose to enter into a critical investigation 

 of the theories of Mr. Browne, in relation to hair and wool ; but from 

 the laborious and earnest attention which he has given to the subject, 

 they are inclined to regard his opinions and conclusions as being well 

 worthy of considerate attention from the naturalist, the agriculturist, 

 and the manufacturer of fabrics, in which wool forms an entire or a 

 component part. If, as he asserts, the hairy and the woolly sheep 

 are of different species, and that by their breeding together a degene- 

 rate race is produced, yielding a mixed fleece of hair and wool, and 

 inferior in other respects ; it is surely important that the fact should 

 be known, and claim serious attention wherever sheep are bred, that 

 the two varieties or races may be kept separate, as appears to be the 

 case in the best sheep-folds in Saxony. 



The collection of wools presented by the king of Saxony to Mr. 

 Browne, consists of upwards of six hundred specimens, very neatly 

 put up and labelled, embracing varieties from the principal districts in 

 that country where the growing of wool is pursued as a branch of 

 agricultural economy. These specimens exhibit the quality of wool 

 taken from different parts of the same animal, as well as the vari- 

 eties from the different breeds of sheep, and the various districts in 

 which they are produced. 



In relation to this collection of Saxony wools, and illustrative of 

 the subject of sheep breeding and wool growing, Mr. Browne has 

 favoured the Committee with a communication, which is appended to 

 this report. 



CHAS. B. TREGO, 

 A. L. ELWYN, 

 G. M. JUSTICE. 



