262 
MAMMALIA. 
Asia, in the South of Russia, in Tipper Egypt, and at the Cape 
of Good Hope. Travellers have stated that in parts of Eastern 
Africa some of these Sheep are harnessed to a kind of small truck, 
solely for the purpose of supporting the weight of their tails. 
There is another race, which is quite as remarkable, known 
under the name of the Big-headed Sheep. They have no horns, 
and their necks are supplied with the rudiments of a dew-lap, 
which recalls to mind that of Oxen. 
The Wallachian Sheep is distinguished by its horns pointing ' 
straight upwards, and twisting spirally, like those of Antelopes. 
The Iceland Sheep is known to have as many as three, four, and 
even eight horns. In speaking of the breeding of this valuable 
animal, we shall presently refer to other varieties which exist in 
our own country or among neighbouring nations. 
Sheep are, in fact, one of the principal sources of agricultural 
wealth, and furnish, both to commerce and manufacture, products 
of no inconsiderable importance. Flocks of Sheep, from the dung 
which they leave .behind them, are wonderful improvers of the 
soil. The folding of these animals in a field intended for the culti- 
vation of corn causes beneficial effects which are felt for three 
consecutive years. Thus their utility in rural economy has long 
been known* Their wool, for a very considerable period, was 
considered their most valuable production ; but now they supply 
so vast a quantity of wholesome, agreeable, and very nourishing 
food, that it is doubtful in which way they most benefit the 
human family. The fat of Sheep, which forms tallow, is like- 
wise one of their most important products ; in some breeds 
it forms a layer from seven to eight inches thick along the j 
ribs and around the loins. Their skin, deprived of the wool, is 
also applied to numerous purposes. Of this integument is made I 
most of the thin leathers which are used in the manufacture of 
shoes and gloves. When prepared by other processes it takes in 
commerce the names of chamois , parchment, vellum, &c. Lastly, 
milk and cheese are other useful products which are furnished to 
us by these useful creatures. 
Ewe’s milk, which is remarkable for its richness, is used 
in many countries as an article of food, but it is more generally 
applied to the manufacture of cheese. In no part of France do 
the flocks receive such judicious management, with a view to 
