650 THE CRETAN, OR WALLA CHIAN SHEEP. 
thoroughly under control, that his very presence will, in many instances, cause them to do his 
bidding even without calling in the aid of his dogs. One prolific source of trouble to the Scotch 
s epherd is a locomotive propensity which is inherent in Sheep, and which prompts them to 
quit their own ample boundaries and trespass upon those of their neighbors. Towards even- 
ing when the flocks are inspected, this propensity becomes very annoying, and cannot be 
restrained by bad managers. Others, who understand the Sheep nature, and shape their con- 
duct accordingly, will quietly move towards the boundary without being followed by the dogs 
and by a series of gentle manoeuvres entice the Sheep in the proper direction. In a very short 
tune the shepherd establishes the custom, and whenever he moves towards the boundary the 
Sheep instinctively recede. 
The life of a Highland shepherd is necessarily one of great hardship, and is generally borne 
wi i admirable fortitude. In order that the man may feel a personal interest in the flock which 
is placed under his care, he is permitted to hold a property in a certain number of Sheep, which 
he may feed on his master’s ground without payment. Sometimes he has the little flock of 
others to watch over as well as those of his own especial charge, so that the neighbors, far and 
few between as they are, can all have a fellow interest in the welfare of the Sheep. Each shep- 
herd is generally in possession of a little flock consisting of ten to fifty or sixty Sheep, together 
with pasturage for a few cows. 
At the Cape of Gfood Hope a fat-tailed race of Sheep has long been prevalent, and is 
reared in flocks of considerable size, tended by Hottentot herdsmen. This is a very valu- 
able animal, for it not only furnishes good mutton, together with great quantities of fat, 
but, when young, supplies its owner with beautifully soft and warm garments. The skins 
of the Cape Sheep aie prepared for use by being cleaned, dressed, and sewn together ; 
and are of such excellent quality that they form a warmer coverlet than could be obtained 
from any other material. Their outward show is not at all inferior to their quality ; for 
they are so smooth and soft that few persons would guess that they had once formed part 
of the natural covering of a Sheep. The fat of these animals is mostly collected in the tail 
and hinder quarters, and is peculiarly soft when removed from the animal, being in an 
almost semi-fluid state. It is thought a great delicacy, and is also in great request for the 
manufacture of soap. 
The Afghan Fat-tailed Sheep is remarkable not only for the extremely large and 
fatty tail, but for the delicate and silken texture of its wool. The coat of this animal is largely 
used in local manufactures, and a very considerable amount is also exported into neighboring 
countries. Pelisses, caps, and carpets of various kinds are the chief articles into which this 
soft and valuable wool is manufactured. There are also several herds of Fat-tailed Sheep in 
different parts of India. 
One of the most important of the ovine group is the Cretan, or Wallachian Sheep, 
remarkable for the enormous development and magnificent formation of its horns. 
This splendid animal is a native of Western Asia and the adjacent portions of Europe, 
and is very common in Crete, Wallachia, and Hungary. The horns of the Wallachian Sheep 
are strikingly like those of the Koodoo, or the Addax, their dimensions being proportionately 
large, and their form very similar. The first spiral turn is always the largest, and the horns 
are not precisely the same in every specimen. As a general rule, they rise boldly upwards 
from the skull, being almost perpendicularly set upon the head ; but in others, there is con- 
siderable variety in the formation of the spirals and the direction of the tips. In one specimen 
which was preserved in the gardens of the Zoological Society, the first spiral of the horns was 
curved downwards, and their tips were directed towards the ground. 
The fleece of this animal is composed of a soft, woolly undercoat, covered with and pro- 
tected by long drooping hairs. The wool is extremely fine in quality, and is employed in 
the manufacture of warm cloaks, which are largely used by the peasantry, and which are so 
thick and warm that they defend the wearer against the bitterest cold. Even in the depth of 
