170 
THE ASIATIC BilEEDS. 
fat of the tail when run, will never assume the so- 
lidity or consistency of the tallow of the other pai-ts 
of the body, — arguing from this that there is some- 
thing dilferent in its secretion. Dr Pallas suggests 
that it may be the prevalence of wormwood in the 
Asiatic pasture, which causes fat on the 0. steato- 
pyga, and the efflorescence from the salt lakes which 
impregnate the pasture. 
Among the Asiatic breeds, besides the Fat-mmped 
Sheep, w'hich we have noticed, that of the Broad- 
tailed extends very widely, to India, China, and 
Russia. One of the most celebrated, however, is the 
Astracan breed or Boucharian breed of Pallas, belong- 
ing also to this. It is reraai'kable for the fine spirally 
twisted wool ; and it is from this breed that a great 
portion of the lamb skins, so much in request by the 
furriers, is procured. The colour of the wool is ge- 
nerally a pleasing mixture of black and white ; and 
Fred. Cuvier remarks, that among the broad-tailed 
breeds, the wool of the young has a very great ten- 
dency to be united into two small twisted curls, 
closely united, but which, soon after birth, are sepa- 
rated ; on this account, the skins of the lambs which 
are taken from sheep which have died, are much 
more valuable, and those of an entirely black tint are 
most sought after. 
A small flock of this breed was inti’oduced into 
France in 1821, by the Duke de Richelieu, with the 
intention of having them extended and brought to 
propagate in the country, and endeavour to organize 
