FAT-TAILED AND LONG-TAILED SHEEP 183 



have bred there ever since.^ The tail is usually 

 docked at an early age, and the horns of the rams 

 have been eliminated by selection. These sheep 

 attain considerable bulk, rams weighing 150 lbs. or 

 more, and ewes about 120 lbs. Although they 

 produce good fleeces, the variable colour detracts 

 from the value of the wool ; and these sheep are 

 mainly esteemed for the excellent quality of their 

 mutton, their early breeding, and their fecundity. 

 Their prolific nature is indicated by the fact that 

 twins are comparatively common, and that, under 

 favourable climatic and other physical conditions, the 

 ewes will breed twice a year. Flocks of Tunisians 

 are also maintained in South Africa and Australia. 



The Egyptian fat-tailed sheep, which is nearly 

 allied to the Tunisian and Moroccan breeds, is of 

 interest on account of being 

 the ordinary domesticated 

 sheep of Egypt during the 

 Pharaonic period. In the 

 existing breed the ears are 

 partially pendent, and the 

 horns of the rams do not, 

 according to Dr. Fitzinger,^ """"MXi" ^'"^ 

 attain a large size, generally 



forming only about one-half of a complete circle. 

 In mummified skulls from Egypt, such as one de- 



' C. S. Plumb's Ty/ies and Breeds of Farm Animals, p. 423. 

 * Op. cit., p. 159. 



