1012 On the tame Sheep, S>c. of Tibet. [Oct. 



latter especially, presents a broad surface to the front. There is less 

 compression in the Barwal than even in the wild sheep, so that some- 

 times, but not usually, the breadth is in excess of the depth at the 

 bases of the horns. The frontal aspect of the horns in the Barwal is, 

 however, always ample, if not quite equal to the lateral aspects, and the 

 three faces, though, in general, flat, have more or less of curvature 

 which is usually convexed, but sometimes rather concaved on the inner 

 lateral aspect : and the cross furrows or wrinkles of the Barwal' s horns 

 are as decided and heavy as in its wild prototype. The flesh and fleece 

 are both very abundant but coarse, well suited to the wants of the lusty, 

 rude and unshackled population of the Cachar, but not adapted probably 

 for foreign exportation or exotic rearing. By far the largest number 

 of the Rahris or coarse blankets and serges, manufactured in the sub- 

 Himalayas, and extensively exported therefrom for native use, in the 

 plains of India, are made from the wool of the Barwal, which, likewise, 

 entirely and exclusively clothes the tribes who rear it, and make the 

 rearing of it their chief and almost sole occupation. The Giirungs 

 especially are a truly shepherd, though not a nomadic, race, and they, 

 it is principally, who breed the Barwal, feeding their immense flocks 

 nearer the snows in the hot weather, and further off the snows in the 

 cold weather, but never quitting their own proper habitat as well as 

 that of their flocks, and which is the northern division of the sub- 

 Himalayas. Coarse as is the wool of the Barwal, it is very superior to 

 that of the sheep of the Indian plains, and being of the long stapled 

 kind, the animal might possibly prove a valuable addition to our Euro- 

 pean stores, either for the wool or for the flesh market, the Barwal 

 being of a hardy constitution, averse only from excessive heat, and 

 feeding and fattening most kindly. The colour of this breed is almost 

 invariably white : but reddish or tan legs and face are sometimes found, 

 and it may even be said ' Rara Ovis in terris, nigroque simillima,' of 

 this as of the other breeds. 



The seasons of rutting and breeding are winter and summer respec- 

 tively : the gestation is of 5|- months, and but once a year, pampering and 

 high feeding alone ever causing two broods in the year, or deviation from 

 the customary times of female amativeness and of delivery, though the 

 male be toujours pret et beaucoup suffisant pour une troupe des dames.* 



* This extreme sexual energy is sustained by proportionate organic development. I 

 do not see how we are to reconcile it with the " fitness of things," unless many more 

 females than males are produced, 



