1841.] A Monograph of the species of Wild Sheep. 879 



12. The Cyprian Moufflon^ figured and described by Messrs. Brandt 

 and Ratzeburg from a specimen in the Berlin Museum, and contrasted 

 by them with M. F. Cuvier's figure of the Corsican animal, is probably 

 a distinct species, intermediate to O. Musimon and O. Gmelini ; its 



a median line over the forequarters terminating at the white saddle : the female is 

 much less rufous, with the dark markings less developed, and no white patch on the 

 sides. 



In winter, there is a considerable admixture of black about the body ; the hair upon 

 the nape, and especially the withers, is much elongated, forming a very conspicuous 

 mane when it does not fall over on one side ; that on the under or forepart of the neck 

 is also of considerable length, and projects foi-ward in a peculiar manner, being 

 directed upward from the chest, and downward from the upper portion of the fore- 

 neck ; but the most remarkable feature consists in what in summer merely forms 

 the triangular white patch on the sides, which is then even with the rest of the 

 coat, whereas in winter dress this forms a whorl of very much lengthened 

 white hair protruding far beyond the rest, and imparting a singular appearance 

 to the animal when viewed otherwise than laterally. I have observed the same 

 character in a woolly domestic Sheep, which was brought from one of the West 

 Indian islands, in which case the whorl of white hair projected beyond the rufous 

 wool. 



The Moufflon is a very brisk, energetic animal, rather powerfully made, and 

 strong about the neck, but appearing more so from the length of the hair in front 

 of that part, which in winter may be termed shaggy; the wool beneath its hair is 

 much more copious than in the wild Sheep generally. Its pace is a fleet canter, 

 all lightness and agility; but (as Azuni remarks) it is soon fatigued when pursued 

 over level ground, though from their nimbleness they can seldom be approached in 

 their native wilds. There they bound with surprising vigoui', "jumping from rock 

 to rock at the distance of many feet, and if hard chased to the extremity of a cliff 

 from whence it can reach no other, it will throw itself over, and with astonishing 

 agility pitch upon it horns, without receiving any hurt."~(Bosweirs Corsica, p. 41.) 

 The same is stated of O. Tragelaphus in Jackson's ' Account of the Empire of 

 Morocco.' This animal inhabits the wilds of Corsica and Sardinia, and never quits 

 the highest ridges, where the temperature however does not allow of permanent 

 snow. In general they live in small herds, headed by an old male, but unite oc- 

 casionally into flocks of a hundred or more, which separate again when the rutting 

 season commences, and the usual battles have decided how many females each male 

 can retain. The females yean two lambs in April and May. When brought up 

 tame, the adult male is a capricious and violent little animal, ever ready to butt 

 at strangers the moment their back is turned, or they look for an instant in an- 

 other direction. I have seen one run at and butt against a post again and again, 

 merely for amusement ; and when grazing, it often rubs the herbage violently with 

 its horns, which it makes full use of on all occasions. It is active, curious, impudent, 

 and lascivious, perfectly fearless, and propagates readily with the domestic Sheep, 

 though only under circumstances of restraint, (as noticed in the text.) Azuni and 

 other authors notice their flesh to be equal to the finest mutton ; and the moun- 

 taineers are said still to convert their skins into vests, and a kind of cloak, which, it 

 has been remarked, may be the present representatives of the Mas'^rwc^ ^'wrc^oruw, 

 noticed in the commentaries on Cicero, as made from the skin of the Moufflon. This 

 dress was worn in particular by the inland robbers, the MastruccE latrunculoe.—E. B. 



