312 ON THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SHEEP 



animal which yields it, to experience the judicious 

 treatment of many British flocks ; and there can be 

 no doubt, that such an experiment would be well 

 worth trying. Under this impression, I cannot 

 help expressing a wish, that the Society, to whose 

 consideration these remarks are submitted, would 

 exert their influence for accomplishing an object 

 which may prove of national importance. 



At the same time, it is proper to observe, that 

 sheep are not to be considered as valuable for their 

 fleece alone. They merit attention as furnishing 

 food as well as clothing to man, and any particular 

 race is of value only in so far as these important 

 objects are combined. How far the Rocky Moun- 

 tain Sheep might prove useful as furnishing food, 

 I have had no opportunities of ascertaining. As 

 to the value of the wool, if obtained in purity, 

 there seems no room for doubt ; and I may state, 

 that I have shewn specimens to different wool- 

 dealers, all of whom expressed their admiration of 

 their quality, and even an anxiety to purchase. 

 From these specimens, however, it may be fair to 

 add, the hairs had been in a great measure ex- 

 tracted. 



It may be mentioned, in conclusion, that it can- 

 not be known from the skin exhibited, whether or 

 not the Rocky Mountain Sheep produces what deal- 

 ers would call long wool. The longest observed on 

 the skin is scarcely exceeding two inches, being 

 about one-half the usual length of the full-grown 



