perfectly aware, that without this species of knowledge we are like a ship at sea without the guiding aids of the rudder and the compass, and liable to be carried in the right or in the wrong direction only as chance directs. In conclusion, I need make no apology for any defects that may appear in this little work, having done my best to make it useful to the farmer. CASTLE STREET, DUMFRIES, _July, 1838_. CONTENTS. PREFACE iii References to the Plates xi CHAPTER I. HISTORY OF THE SHEEP. (1) Origin of the Sheep;--(2) The Argali of Siberia and Mouflon of Sardinia;--(3) The Mouflon of America;--(4) The Mouflon of Africa;--(5) British Breeds;--(6) The Lincolnshire;--(7) The Teeswater;--(8) The Dishley or New Leicester;--(9) The Devonshire Nots;--(10) The Dorsetshire Sheep;--(11) Herefordshire or Ryeland Sheep;--(12) The South Down;--(13) The Cheviot Sheep;--(14) Mugg Sheep;--(15) The Black-faced or Heath Sheep;--(16) The Merino;-- (17) Teeth of Sheep;--(18) Distinctions between the Sheep and Goat; --(19) Horns of Sheep;--(20) Structure of the Stomach;--(21) Digestion;--(22) Period of Conception;--(23) Names applied to Sheep 1 CHAPTER II. WOOL. (24) Wool-bearing Animals;--(25) Structure of the Skin;--(26) Sebaceous follicles;--(27) Connexion of the Hair with the Skin--Yolk;--(28) Periodical decidence of Wool;--(29) Falling off of Wool prevented by Clipping;--(30) Form of Woolly Fibre;--(31) Structure and Properties of Hair and Wool;--(32) Particular soils injurious to Wool;--(33) Felting;--(34) Different kinds of Wool;--(35) Alterations caused by _Crossing_;--(36) Bratting prejudicial to Wool 16 CHAPTER III. BRITISH WOOL TRADE.