18 WILD SHEEP. 



This sheep seems to have been driven out of the district north 

 of Peking, and at present is only definitely known to inhabit North 

 Shansi. 



It is a really magnificent animal, and it is possible tbat it may yet 

 be found to be the largest species of all. 



Up to tine jiresent the greatest measurements obtained are : — length 

 of horn 52 inches; basal circumference of h.orn 19i inches; height at 

 shoulder 45J inches. This compares favourably with the records of 

 tlie other four species, which are as follow: — 

 Ovis foli : 



Record length of horn 75 inches. 



Eecord basal circumference of horn 16f inches. 



Eecord height at shoulder 46 inches. 



0. Uttiedalci: 



Record length of horn 62A inches. 

 Record basal circumference 19f inches. 

 Eecord height at shoulder, not given. 



O. hodgsoni : 



Record length of horn 75 inches. 



Eecord basal circumference 18} inches. 



Approximate height at shoulder 42 inches to 48 inches. 



0. amnion : 



Record length of horn 62 inches. 



Record basal circumference 19 inches. 



Approximate height at shoulder 42 inches to 48 inches. 



It will be' seen from these measurements that the horns of 

 ■0. jubata, have a greater basal circumference in proportion to their 

 length than any of the other species. It must be remembered that 

 as only a comparatively few of the North China and Tbian Shan sheep 

 have been measured, it is highly probable that much larger heads 

 exist. As it is these two species hold the records for basal circunr- 

 ference of horns. 



The American Jji^hnrn (O/'/.s- niiiitdrnHifi) and the Kanischatknn 

 wild scheep {Ovis nivicola) are considerably smaller than these Central 

 Asian giants. Their records are respectively: — length of horn 50^ 

 inches, basal circumference 18^ inches, and length of horn 39i iTiche-^, 

 basal circumference 14f inches. In the case of the American Bighorn, 

 a great number of heads have been secured and measured, so that the 

 record is probably well established and hard to beat. A full grown 

 ram averages not more than 38 inches at the shoulder. 



