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QUADRUPEDS. 
115 
the dimensions of an ordinary hog. They are spread over 
the whole of Southern Asia, and from Abyssinia to the 
Cape of Good Hope. In all these countries the Zebu 
supplies the place of the ox, both as a beast of burthen 
and as an article of food. By the Hindoos they are 
treated with great veneration, and it is held sinful to de- 
prive them of life, or eat their flesh. A select number are 
exempted from all labour, and allowed to wander about, 
and subsist on the voluntary and pious contributions of 
the devotees of their faith. 
THE SHEEP. (Oois Aries.) 
THE Sheep has been so long subjected to the power of man, 
that it is not known with certainty from what race our 
domestic sheep has been derived. It is supposed, however, 
to be from the Mouflou or Musmon of Sardinia and Crete. 
This animal is one of the most useful that nature ever 
submitted to the empire of man : and in patriarchal times, 
the number of Sheep constituted the riches of kings and 
princes. It is universally known, its flesh being one of 
the chief kinds of human food. Its wool is of great use 
for clothing. Although of a moderate size, and well co- 
vered, it does not live more than nine or ten years. The 
