THE SHEEP 103 



almost to themselves, they moved about in herds of several 

 thousand head, and in their long migrations were accustomed 

 to swim across the largest streams. They were, as a rule, exceed- 

 ingly timid, and when once they began to run would plunge on 

 like sheep in dense crowds. Nothing could then stop them. 

 If a precipice lay in their path they would dash over its edge, 

 the rear ranks pressing the front ranks forward to their death. 

 The skeletons of thousands of bisons destroyed in this way have 

 been found at the foot of steep declivities in Western America. 



THE SHEEP 



The sheep shares with the ox the distinction of being among 

 the most useful of all domestic animals. 



Let us see what we obtain from it. First, there is its wool, 

 or " fleece ", which we spin into yarn, and then make into cloth 

 or flannel. This fleece becomes very thick in winter, and makes 

 a warm coat for the sheep. In the spring, when the animal 

 does not need its thick garment, we cut off" the fleece close to 

 the body with large scissors, or "' shears ", and send it away 

 to be spun into cloth. 



But it must first be cleaned, for there is a kind of oil in it which 

 helps to keep out the rain when the sheep is alive, but which would 

 render it quite useless for manufacturing purposes. If you were 

 to rub your hands upon a sheep's back, you would find that they 

 were quite greasy afterwards. All this grease must be thoroughly 

 removed before the wool can be made into clothing. 



Then there is the flesh of the sheep, which we call mutton, 

 and which we use so largel)^ for food. The fatty parts we use as 

 suet, and the rest forms tallow. 



Even the skin of the sheep is not without its value. We make 

 the thinner parts into gloves, and use the thicker parts for binding 

 books. The skin of lambs, too, is made into parchment, and used 

 for writing upon. As this cannot be torn like paper, and is not 

 easily burnt, it is generally employed for writings that we wish to 

 preserve. 



The wild sheep is intelligent, and when full-grown very 



