26 THE SHEEP AND ITS COUSINS 



somewhat less definite terms, apparently to much 

 the same purpose, as follows : — 



" The term ' wool ' is commonly understood to 

 mean the modified hairs of domesticated breeds of 

 sheep which, through a finely intricate arrangement 

 of superficially serrated scales, and a curly dis- 

 position, have the property of ' felting,' on which 

 depends the value of the wool in manufactures. 

 The property is present in a minor degree in the 

 longer, straighter, scantier fleece of such wild sheep 

 as the Himalayan Ovis vignei, the Ovis amnion 

 of Central Asia, and the Ovis musimon of Sardinia. 

 In the domesticated races the fleece has been 

 modified and improved in various degrees by cross- 

 ing the breeds, by choice of climate and pasture, 

 and by careful attention and defence during its 

 growth, until not only has the original coarse char- 

 acter of the product disappeared, but qualities of 

 wool of different kinds and of different degrees of 

 superiority have been obtained, generally divisible 

 into two classes, one better adapted for ' carding,' 

 the other for ' combing,* and both available for a 

 great variety of useful and elegant textile fabrics." 



This replacement of the hair by wool, together 

 with the lengthening or other abnormal develop- 

 ment of the tail, and the frequent elimination of the 

 horns, are some of the most striking modifications 

 which have been produced in sheep as the result of 

 domestication. 



