114 SHEEP 



to unite mentally, afterwards manoeuvring 



as urged by subconscious mind. 



Sheep inhabit bare and open tracts, and are 

 therefore " Exposers." Their powers of loco- 

 motion are below the average of animals 

 found in exposed places ; also the sheep's 

 fleece is an encumbrance which tends to reduce 

 speed. However, I believe this woolly covering 

 which envelops the body is a natural protec- 

 tion against the attacks of beasts of prey 

 rather than for the actual warmth it may 

 afford the animal, and which takes the place 

 of spines and other kinds of defensive armour 

 as observed in some species : thus, when the 

 pursuer, in the shape of a wolf or other, 

 overhauls the quarry, his teeth meet, not in 

 the flesh of the animal, but in the wool, which 

 comes away entangled in his mouth and for 

 the moment blinds him, thus affording the 

 pursued a chance of escape. But the sheep's 

 chief protection lies in this habit of massing 

 together when danger threatens. There is 

 " safety in numbers." 



Now observe the sheep after they have 

 crowded up : their heads are all turned in 

 the direction of the supposed danger. For a 

 moment they stand motionless ; then, with 

 one impulse, the whole troop stampedes. 

 Suddenly, they are seen to slew round and 



