140 Professor Jameson on the Rocky Mountain Sheep 
curvature is also different, — circumstances which deserve more 
particular notice, on account of their being connected with other 
important diversities of character : These are the smoothness of 
the horns, and their circular, or rather conical shape, — two par- 
ticulars in which they differ from the horns of every species of 
sheep with which either history or observation has made us ac- 
quainted. The blackness of the horns, compared with the white- 
ness of the wool, may also be mentioned, though, in other cir- 
cumstances, unworthy of notice. The legs, too, of this skin, 
are covered with longer and coarser hair than what is to be 
found on those of the common sheep. The horns resemble 
those of a common goat, more than of a sheep, in regard to po- 
sition, colour, and texture. But the goats horns are flat on the 
under part, or that next the neck, so as to form the side of a 
pyramid. In other respects they are conical. The horns of 
the Rocky Mountain Sheep are completely conical, and in shape 
resemble the horns of an ox more than those of either a goat or 
any of the varieties of sheep. 
“ There is another circumstance of apparent resemblance to 
the goat, which may be noticed. The skin exhibited has a ridge 
of hair along the back, considerably longer than the general co- 
vering, which is continued up the neck, in the form of a mane, 
thicker and longer than that on the back. It has also a thick 
long beard, and a space on each quarter covered with long 
shaggy hair. In these particulars there is a resemblance to the 
male of the common goat ; and I think it probable the skin be- 
longs to the male sex. In the length of the neck, compared 
with that of the body, there is also a resemblance to the common 
goat. But, in all these points of resemblance, there are specific 
differences, which a comparison would best illustrate. 
“ The wool forming the principal covering of the skin, is a 
strong reason for not classing the animal with the family of goats. 
It is no doubt true, that the goat of the East yields a fur in 
many respects resembling wool ; and it may be difficult, in some 
cases, to distinguish between hair and wool, especially from small 
specimens. But, in judging from any considerable quantity, 
such as the covering of a whole skin, there would be little diffi- 
culty in determining whether the substance should be called 
hair or wool ; and, so far as I know, there is no good authority 
