TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. 119 



numbers are annually exported from both coun- 

 tries. 



Bos Taurus, Linn. Ox. — This animal is also 

 of a small size, and rarely to be obtained in 

 good condition except in the middle of summer, 

 at which season the flesh is delicate and fine- 

 flavoured. 



Ovis Aries, Linn. Sheep. — This animal com- 

 pared with the southern breeds of England and 

 Scotland is very small, often not exceeding thirty 

 pounds in weight. They are of various colours, 

 black, white, dark brown, and spotted. In general 

 they are very lean ; some few are fattened in sum- 

 mer for sale or for the farmer's own consumption, 

 and in the autumn and the beginning of winter, 

 when the fodder is scarce, great numbers are 

 killed for the purpose of being salted and dried : 

 those of Orkney are much esteemed for the deli- 

 cacy and flavour of their flesh. 



Canis FAMiLiARis,Xm?z. Dog. — Dogs are nu- 

 merous and principally of the shepherd kind. I be- 

 lieve that not a single instance of that most fright- 

 ful disease hydrophobia has been known to occur 

 in these islands. 



