550 THE CRETAN, OR WALLA CHI AN SHEEP. 



thoroughly under control, that his very presence will, in many instances, cause them to do his 

 bidding, even without calling in the aid of his dogs. One prolific source of trouble to the Scotch 

 shepherd is a locomotive propensity which is inherent in Sheep, and which prompts them to 

 quit their own ample boundaries and trespass upon those of their neighbors. Towards even- 

 ing, when the flocks are inspected, this propensity becomes very annoying, and cannot be 

 restrained by bad managers. Others, who understand the Sheep nature, and shape their con- 

 duct accordingly, will quietly move towards the boundary without being followed by the dogs, 

 and by a series of gentle manoeuvres entice the Sheep in the proper direction. In a very short 

 time the shepherd establishes the custom, and whenever he moves towards the boundary, the 

 Sheep instinctively recede. 



The life of a Highland shepherd is necessarily one of great hardship, and is generally borne 

 with admirable fortitude. In order that the man may feel a personal interest in the flock which 

 is placed under his care, he is permitted to hold a property in a certain number of Sheep, which 

 he may feed on his master's ground without payment. Sometimes he has the little flock of 

 others to watch over as well as those of his own especial charge, so that the neighbors, far and 

 few between as they are, can all have a fellow interest in the welfare of the Sheep. Each shep- 

 herd is generally in possession of a little flock consisting of ten to fifty or sixty Sheep, together 

 with pasturage for a few cows. 



At the Cape of Good Hope a fat-tailed race of Sheep has long been prevalent, and is 

 reared in flocks of considerable size, tended by Hottentot herdsmen. This is a very valu- 

 able animal, for it not only furnishes good mutton, together with great quantities of fat, 

 but, when young, supplies its owner with beautifully soft and warm garments. The skins 

 of the Cape Sheep are prepared for use by being cleaned, dressed, and sewn together ; 

 and are of such excellent quality that they form a warmer coverlet than could be obtained 

 from any other material. Their outwai'd show is not at all inferior to their quality ; for 

 they are so smooth and soft that few persons would guess that they had once formed part 

 of the natural covering of a Sheep. The fat of these animals is mostly collected in the tail 

 and hinder quarters, and is peculiarly soft when removed from the animal, being in an 

 almost semi-fluid state. It is thought a great delicacy, and is also in great request for the 

 manufacture of soap. 



The Afghan Fat-tailed Sheep is remarkable not only for the extremely large and 

 fatty tail, but for the delicate and silken texture of its wool. The coat of this animal is largely 

 used in local manufactures, and a very considerable amount is also exported into neighboring 

 countries. Pelisses, caps, and carpets of various kinds are the chief articles into which this 

 soft and valuable wool is manufactured. There are also several herds of Fat-tailed Sheep in 

 different parts of India. 



One of the most important of the ovine group is the Cretan, or Wallachian Sheep, 

 remarkable for the enormous development and magnificent formation of its horns. 



This splendid animal is a native of Western Asia and the adjacent portions of Europe, 

 and is very common in Crete, Wallachia, and Hungary. The horns of the Wallachian Sheep 

 are strikingly like those of the Koodoo, or the Addax, their dimensions being proportionately 

 large, and their form very similar. The first spiral turn is always the largest, and the horns 

 are not precisely the same in every specimen. As a general rule, they rise boldly upwards 

 from the skull, being almost perpendicularly set upon the head ; but in others, there is con- 

 siderable variety in the formation of the spirals and the direction of the tips. In one specimen 

 winch was preserved in the gardens of the Zoological Society, the first spiral of the horns was 

 curved downwards, and their tips were directed towards the ground. 



The fleece of this animal is composed of a soft, woolly undercoat, covered with and pro- 

 tected by long drooping hairs. The wool is extremely fine in quality, and is employed in 

 the manufacture of warm cloaks, which are largely used by the peasantry, and which are so 

 thick and warm that they defend the wearer against the bitterest cold. Even in the depth of 



