ORDER RUMINANTIA. 325 



variety in the breeds of sheep result from one or more spe- 

 cies of Wild Argalis and Musmons, or whether the origi- 

 nal stock is lost, are questions which appear in a great 

 measure determined by the observations made on them in 

 the preceding pages ; but it may be worth observing, 

 that as Asia seems to exhibit the most numerous and finest 

 varieties in the breeds of domestic goats, so Africa might 

 claim the greatest number of distinct varieties of sheep, 

 from those approaching nearest to their supposed primitive 

 characters, to the ultimate degree of deterioration which 

 can exist without extinction. The gradations in the scale 

 of domestication, appear to be distinguishable in the first 

 place, by a decrease of bulk in the horns, retaining the 

 original direction, or passing into more elongated spiral 

 turns ; by a partial retention of hair on the body, more or 

 less mixed with wool ; by the local accumulation of fat on 

 certain parts ; by the expansion and drooping of the ears ; 

 the lengthening of the tail ; by the arching of the nasal 

 bones or chaffron ; and last, by the wool changing from 

 white to dark brown and black. In proportion as one or 

 more of these characters combined are observed, the breed 

 recedes from the original type ; but in reviewing the races 

 by these indications, regard must still be had to the ob- 

 vious influences of climate and circumstances. 



The principal breeds of Africa are the Adimain, or Long- 

 legged Sheep, remarkable for elevated legs and robust 

 make, notwithstanding they have hollow flanks. In height 

 at the shoulder, the ram measures three feet, and in length 

 exceeds four feet six inches. The chaffron is more or less 

 arched, the ears horizontal, the tail invariably very long, 

 and the neck short. On the croup, back, and flanks, there is 

 wool, varying in the degrees of fineness; but from the nape 

 of the neck to the shoulders, a heavy mane of hair hangs 

 down to the breast. The horns in general are short, form- 



