THE Sheep has been so long subjected to the empire of man, that it is not known with certainty from what race our domestic species has been derived. It is supposed, however, to be from the Mouflon, or Musmon, of Sardinia and Crete. This animal is one of the most useful ever bestowed on us by a bountiful Providence; 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, and its wool being of great use for clothing. Although of a moderate size, and well covered, it does not live more than nine or ten years. The Ewe has one or two young at a time, and the young one, which is called a lamb, has always been an emblem of innocence.

In its domestic state, it is too well known to require a detail of its peculiar habits, or of the methods which have been adopted to improve the breed. No country produces finer Sheep than England, either with larger fleeces, or better adapted for the business of clothing. Those of Spain have confessedly finer wool, some of which we generally require to work up with our own; but the weight of a Spanish fleece is much inferior to one of Lincoln or Tees Water. Merino, or Spanish Sheep, have of late years been introduced with some success into our

English pastures, and the wool of the hybrids, raised between the Merino Sheep and the South Down Sheep, is thought nearly equal to that of Spain.

In stormy weather, these animals generally hide themselves in caves from the fury of the elements; but if such retreats are not to be found, they collect themselves together, and during a fall of snow, place their heads near each other, with their muzzles inclined to the ground. In this situation they sometimes remain, till hunger compels them to gnaw each other's wool, which forms into hard balls in the stomach, and destroys them. But in general, they are sought out and extricated soon after the storm has subsided.

"The Sheep," Mr. Bell observes, " is one of the most interesting of all animals as regards its historical relations with man. It was the subject of the first sacrifices, and was used in its typical character as an offering of atonement; and the relation which existed between the patriarchal shepherds and their flocks, was of so intimate and even affectionate a nature, as to have afforded the subject of many beautiful passages in the Holy Scriptures."

Is the male sheep, and is so strong and fierce that he will boldly attack a dog, and often come off victorious: he has even been known, regardless of danger, to engage a bull; and his forehead being much harder than that of any other animal, he seldom fails to conquer. He overcomes the bull who, by lowering his head, receives the stroke of the Ram between his eyes, which usually brings him to the ground.

figure of the animal in this work, though it is only a variety of the common species. The horns of the Ewe are twisted also, but not so much as those of the Ram, which form, near the head, a spiral line. The wool is much longer than that of the common Sheep, and resembles the hair of the goat. A fine Ram of this species was presented some years since to the Zoological Gardens in the Regent's park, by Dr. Bowring. It is there called the Parnassian Sheep, having been brought from Mount Parnassus.

THE ARGALI, OR WILD SHEEP OF ASIA, in figure somewhat resembles a ram, but his wool is rather like the hair of a goat His horns are large and bent backwards, and his tail is short. He is of the size of a small deer, active, swift, wild, and found in flocks in the rocky, dry deserts of Asia, Kamtschatka, Barbary, and Corsica. His flesh and fat are delicious. He is called also the Siberian Sheep or Goat, and is considered by some to be the parent stock of the domestic Sheep.

THE GOAT. (Capra hircus.)

THE Goat, next to the cow and the sheep, has been always reckoned, especially in ancient and patriarchal times, the most useful domestic animal. Its milk is sweet, nourishing, and medicinal, and better adapted for persons of weak digestion than that of the cow, as it is not so apt to curdle on the stomach. The female has generally two

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young ones at a time, which are called kids. This animal is admirably adapted for living in wild places; it delights in climbing precipices, and is often seen reposing in peaceful security on rocks overhanging the sea. Nature indeed has in some measure fitted it for traversing these eminences; the hoof being hollow underneath, with sharp edges, so that it can walk as securely on the ridge of a house as on the level ground. The flesh of the Goat is seldom eaten; but that of the kid is esteemed a very delicate food, and is frequently eaten on the Continent. In the East, the long soft hair of the Goat is used in making the beautiful Cashmere shawls; and of the skin is manufactured morocco leather. The skin of the kid is well known for its use in making gloves.

THE IBEX, OR BOQUETIN,

Is a Wild Goat, which inhabits the Pyrennean mountains, the Alps, and the highest mountains of Greece. He is of an admirable swiftness; his head is armed with