262 
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. 
rica. And yet the distinguishing characters of each 
are in themselves so trivial, and the races pass into one 
another by such insensible gradations, especially w^hen 
connected by means of the domesticated breeds, and 
propagate so readily a mixed breed, that we cannot 
but entertain doubts of the propriety of their separation 
from each other. That the Moufflon of Corsica is the 
parent stock from which were derived most of the 
European breeds, has been proved almost to demon- 
stration ; and the origin of the Asiatic races (as nume- 
rous as the European, but not separable from them by 
any tangible characters) from the Siberian Argali is 
equally certain. With the latter many distinguished 
zoologists maintain that the Rocky Mountain Sheep is 
in all respects identical. This question, therefore, like 
that of the origin and specific identity of the Dog, 
whose varieties are scarcely more numerous or more 
striking than those of the Sheep, still remains, and in 
all probability will ever continue, open to discussion. 
The fine Ram figured at the head of the present 
article is the only specimen that we have seen of a 
beautiful domesticated breed. In the large size, spiral 
twist, and lateral extension of its horns, it comes nearest 
to the Merino, which, however, it considerably exceeds 
in all these particulars. It differs too most essentially 
in the character of its wool, which instead of being 
curled and tufted, is perfectly straight, and of very 
great length, that which is derived from the middle of 
the back falling on either side of the animal almost to 
the ground : it is also very close set and beautifully 
fine. The animal in question came from Mount Par- 
nassus, and was presented to the Society by Dr. Bow- 
ring. It is, like the Sheep in general, extremely stupid, 
but at the same time vicious and unruly. 
