ORDER RUMINANTIA. 311 



have been introduced from Manilla ; at least among the 

 multitude of which we have seen on the eastern coasts of 

 the New World, brought from different parts of Guinea, 

 not one of this variety occurred. 



The Genus Ovis. 



Sheep are so nearly allied to goats, that the distinguish- 

 ing characters of the two genera are of a trivial nature. 

 The chaffron which in the former is almost invariably more 

 or less elevated, is in the latter occasionally of the same 

 form ; the beard is not absolutely wanting in the one, and 

 sometimes absent in the other, and the wool which distin- 

 guishes almost all domesticated sheep, in the wild or Ar- 

 galis, is reduced to a rudimental state, little more promi- 

 nent than in several species of Antelope, of Deer, and of 

 the Wild Goat itself. It was believed by the ancients, that 

 sheep are an hybrid production, 



Tityrus ex ovibus oritur, hircoque parente : 

 Musimonem Capra ex vervegno semine gignit — 



and the moderns still relate that the commixture of the 

 two species produces prolific breeds, said to be common in 

 some parts of Russia, and also found in America, where it 

 is known by the name of Chabin. There are, however, no 

 well authenticated facts to establish the matter beyond a 

 doubt, and the mere carelessness of the proprietors of 

 flocks is certainly insufficient cause for their existence ; 

 for if the two genera intermixed with facility, and re- 

 mained prolific, most countries would be without the pure 

 breed of either, and possess only the intermediate: and 

 above all the west coast of Africa would be in that condi- 

 tion, because the wool is there no object, and not the 

 least care is taken in breeding of the domestic animals ; 

 and yet several breeds of goats and sheep exist, per- 

 fectly distinct and without the smallest appearance of 



