1844.] Agricultural and Land produce of Shoa. 285 



The flock is regularly washed in a river once a week for two months 

 previous to shearing, an operation which is performed twice during 

 the year, in June and November, and whilst in this state of prepar- 

 ation, the sheep are kept in a cleanly littered pen. The wool varies 

 considerably in texture, that of some being very coarse, whilst that of 

 others is extremely fine. No care, however, is taken of the quality, 

 but nature is left in this respect, as in all others in this country, to 

 take her own course. The animals are much afflicted with an in- 

 curable disease called "koakoot," which particularly in the dry sea- 

 son carries off large numbers. The throat swells to an enormous size, 

 and becoming filled with water, the victim expires in a few hours. 



94. The long-haired sheep, called " baa/a lovisa," inhabits the 

 high cold countries of Maus, Lako, and the Wolle Galla. The hair 

 is so lengthy, that it reaches the ground on every side, and gives the 

 animal the form and appearance of a large baboon. It is carefully 

 kept in a clean pen, and frequently washed. As the value of this 

 animal is comparatively high, in the event of confinement produc- 

 ing great corpulence one of the legs is broken to reduce the gross- 

 ness of habit, which is supposed to injure the hair; this coat is of a 

 reddish hue, but afterwards blackened in an artificial manner, 

 and from it the handsome cloaks are fabricated, which are worn by 

 the more wealthy inhabitants of Shoa. Other breeds also of superior 

 size and fleece exist among the Galla tribes, which are highly esteem- 

 ed at the royal table; but the Abyssinian is not fond of altering 

 the faith or the custom of his forefathers, and the necessity for any 

 improvement in the present small scraggy flock, has not as yet enter- 

 ed the current of his ideas. 



95- Goats are considered a very inferior farm stock to sheep ; they 

 are subjected to more diseases, and the flesh is supposed (by many of 

 the inhabitants,) to possess the most baneful properties, in proudcing in 

 the human frame the venereal disease. The hides, however, are held in 

 esteem, and the milk is reckoned of utility as an internal remedy during 

 the prevalence of small-pox ; whilst at the same time, the eyes of the 

 sufferer are constantly washed and fomented by a warm application. 

 At all other times it is reckoned highly disgraceful to touch the milk of 

 either goats or ewes, or abstract the food from the young animal. 

 The prepared goat skin is soft and pliable, and impervious to water, it 



