i88 THE SHEEP AND ITS COUSINS 



districts the flocks are kept mainly for the sake of 

 their wool, for which there is a good demand. 



From the Arabian breed the Colchian long- 

 tailed sheep differs merely by the rather long and fine 

 wool being curly in place of merely waved. The 

 breed is a native of the province of Mingrelia, in 

 Asiatic Russia, now included in the government of 

 Grusino-Imeritien, but in classical times constituting 

 the land of Colchis, famous for Jason's quest on 

 the Argo of the golden fleece. The country is 

 partly mountainous and wooded, although a large 

 area consists of fertile grassy plains on which are 

 reared immense flocks of these long-tailed sheep. 



Colchian sheep are kept both for their mutton 

 and their wool ; the latter having a great reputation 

 not only in Mingrelia itself, but also in the neigh- 

 bouring districts. There is likewise a great demand 

 for the skins of young lambs, which are very similar 

 in character to those of the Bokharan fat-tailed 

 breed, and are likewise known in commerce as 

 Astrakhan. The Mingrelians have, however, learnt 

 to preserve the curly character of the young fleece 

 by washing the lambs daily and pressing the locks 

 of hair close to the skin ; by which means they are 

 enabled to prolong the life of the lambs for a 

 considerable period, and thereby obtain larger 

 skins. This practice seems to have been known 

 from time immemorial, and was employed by the 

 shepherds of ancient Colchis. The fame of these 



