[Illustration: MOUNTAIN SHEEP.]
The members of this family have horns which, at first directed
backwards, wind spirally forwards; their forehead is generally convex,
and they are without any beard. In other respects they are closely
allied to the Goats.
The Common Sheep, like other animals placed at the disposal of mankind,
presents innumerable varieties in accordance with the breed or climate
to which it may belong. Thus we find in Europe flocks with coarse or
fine wool, of large or of small size, with long horns or with short
horns—some in which the horns are wanting in the females; others in
which they are deficient in both sexes.
The Spanish varieties are distinguished by their fine curly wool and
large spiral horns, which exist in the males only; while the English
breeds are celebrated on account of the length of their fleece and the
delicacy of their mutton.
The Sheep of Southern Russia are remarkable on account of the length of
their tails; while those of India and some parts of Africa are
distinguished by the length of their legs, pendent ears, coarse wool,
and total want of horns in either sex. In Persia, Tartary, and China the
tail of the Sheep appears to be entirely transformed into a double globe
of fat; and those of Syria and Barbary, notwithstanding the length of
their tails, have them loaded with fat, while their wool is intermixed
with coarse hair. Everywhere, however, the Sheep is invaluable to the
human race, and the care of their flocks one of the earliest occupations
of civilized nations.
“This species,” says Buffon, “appears to be preserved only by the
assistance and care of Man; it seems unable to subsist by itself. The
reclaimed Sheep is absolutely without resource and without defence. The
Ram is but weakly armed; its courage is only petulance. The females are
still more timid than the males. It is fear that causes them so often to
assemble in flocks; the slightest noise makes them throw themselves down
headlong or crowd one against the other; and this fear is accompanied
with the greatest stupidity, for they know not how to avoid danger.”
They appear not even to feel the inconveniences of their situation; they
remain obstinately where they are exposed to the rain or snow. In order
to oblige them to change their situation and take a certain road, a
leader is necessary, whose movements they follow at every step. This
leader would himself remain motionless with the rest of the flock, if he
were not driven by the Shepherd or excited by the Sheep-dog, which knows
well how to defend, direct, separate, reassemble them, and communicate
to them all necessary movements.
They are, of all animals, the most stupid and devoid of resources.
Goats, which resemble them in so many other respects, have much more
sense. They know how to guide themselves, they avoid danger, and easily
familiarize themselves with new objects; while the Sheep neither
retreats nor advances, and although it stands in need of assistance,
does not approach Man so willingly as the Goat, besides—a quality which,
in animals, appears to indicate the last degree of timidity or of want
of feeling—it allows its Lamb to be taken away without defending it,
without anger or resistance, or even signifying its grief by a cry
differing from its usual bleat.
Nevertheless, this creature, so helpless and so apathetic, is to mankind
the most valuable of all animals, and of the most immediate and
extensive use. Alone it suffices for his most pressing wants, furnishing
both food and clothing, besides the various uses of the fat, milk, skin,
entrails and bones. Nature has not bestowed anything upon the Sheep that
does not serve for the advantage of the human race.