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XV. Observations on the Natural and Me- 

 dical History of the Zetland Sheep *. 



By Arthur Edmondsto^, M. D. Fellow of the 

 Royal College of Surgeons, and Member of the 

 Royal Physical, Antiquarian, and Chirurgical 

 Societies of Edinburgh. 



(Read loth March 1810.J 



There is no animal more generally useful to 

 man than the sheep. Its gentle disposition, the 

 facility with which it can be tamed,* the delicacy 

 of its flesh, and the richness of its covering, early 

 rendered it essential to human society ; and in the 

 progress of arts it constituted a principal source of 

 the wealth of nations. The management of 

 sheep, the improvement of the different races, and 

 the cure of their diseases, have, therefore, become 

 pursuits of general interest ; and every fact which 

 ■ ....... . - . 



* This' paper is an enlargement of what is stated on 

 the same subject by the Author, in his work, entitled, 

 " A View of the ancient and present state of the Zetland 

 **' Islands," 2. vols. 8vo. As the additional observations 

 given here, might have been rendered less complete and 

 intelligible by appearing in a detached form, it has been 

 judged proper that the original passages from that worL 

 should be reprinted along with them.— Editor, 



