THE SHEEP 243 
means of defence against enemies, and for fighting with 
each other. They are carried by an immensely strong 
neck, so that rams are but seldom injured in their “butting” 
contests. The structure of the horn has already been 
referred to in a previous lesson (see page 239). 
The size and what it teaches. Animals living in 
hilly country are usually smaller than those frequenting 
level country, and this is not difficult to understand. It is 
much easier to move a light body over hilly or uneven 
ground than a heavy one, for the heavier the animal, the 
more difficult, of course, is the work of climbing. Now, 
the Sheep is essentially a mountain animal, like the Goat, 
and in its wild state had its home in broken hilly country, 
where a larger frame would not only act as a hindrance, 
but would probably bring about the destruction of the 
animal. The Sheep is a quiet timid creature, and probably 
selected the mountains as a home in order to escape from 
the many enemies which would be likely to attack it. 
The covering and whai it teaches. ‘The body of 
the Sheep is clothed with a covering of warm thick wool, 
which varies in length and texture with different breeds. 
The fact of the covering being warm indicates that the 
home of the animal was confined to cold regions, but the 
Sheep does not thrive in the far north, and the only other 
cold regions are to be found in lofty elevations, hence the 
woolly covering furnishes additional evidence that the 
Sheep was originally a mountain animal. — 
The fibres of wool, when examined under the microscope, 
are seen to be rough and scaly. For this reason they can 
be spun into threads of loose texture in which a great deal 
of air is entangled ; woollen garments are thus bad con- 
ductors of heat, and hence prevent the escape of warmth 
from the body. The wool, moreover, is greasy from a 
substance which is secreted by the skin, and protects the 
animal from rain. 
