We have now presented an abridged view of the principal features in the character and habits of the several races of wild sheep which inhabit the different parts of the world *. That these are one and all specifically distinct, is what, in the present state of our knowledge, we are scarcely entitled very positively to assert that they are all specifically the same, is, however, much less likely, and by no means accordant with the analogies deduced from the laws which regulate the geographical distribution of animals, and which render it improbable that the same species should occur naturally in all the four quarters of the globe.

be found in another animal, to be mentioned hereafter, of which only the skin has yet been seen by any European.”—Vol. xii. p. 334. The other passage alluded to is as follows: “On their way up the river they saw a skin of the mountain sheep, with the horns remaining on it, an interesting circumstance, for no European had ever seen the animal, and the accounts which they had heard of its horns did not agree: these were black, smooth, erect, and pointed, rising from the middle of the forehead a little above the eyes, to the height of four inches. The skin was as large as that of the common deer, and the wool firm, but mixed on the back, particularly on the top of the head, with many long straight hairs. These travellers thought the wool not so long as that of the domestic sheep. Langsdorff, who also saw many of the skins dressed with the wool, for clothing, calls it very long. This, and not the Argali, is, without doubt, the parent of the domestic sheep."-Loc. cit. p. 362.

The additional knowledge recently acquired of the history of these North American species, renders it certain that the last named animal has no specific connexion with our domestic sheep. I have already stated, (see note to p. 356), that it is classed by some writers with the goats, and by others with the antelopes. The first quotation refers to the true Rocky Mountain Sheep (Ovis montana). The enlightened reviewer, whose information always keeps pace with, and is usually in advance of, what is generally known on such subjects, is himself, I doubt not, by this time fully aware of the state of scientific opinion on these points.

According to Major H. Smith, the high mountains of Bhootan are frequented by an animal of the sheep kind, which may turn out to be a variety of the Asiatic Argali. "They are known by the name of Nervati, or Wild Sheep of Bhote, and are represented as similar in colour, and in the texture of the hair, to the Chiru, that is a slaty bluish-grey, inclining to red, and concealing, beneath the general superficies, a spare fleece of very soft wool, which lies close to their skin. This colour is probably not unlike that of the Musmon, or a liver-coloured grey; but it may be that the Nervati is of a different species, and even of a different genus, because we have no account of the horns."-Animal Kingdom, vol. iv. p. 316.

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In the next number of this Journal we shall come to the more practical part of the subject, and present a sketch of the history and characteristic properties of those domestic breeds which man has colonized so extensively, and with such incalculable advantage, over the surface of the earth. This of course is the main point to which our observations lead, and which we propose principally to illustrate; although we hope that the preceding observations may not, in the mean time, be devoid of interest, as exhibiting the natural habits of an animal which is seldom regarded in any other light than as the absolute and exclusive property of the human race.

It is obvious that the longer the period during which any species has been reduced to domestication, and the more complete its subservience to the human race, the greater and more remarkable will be the alterations which it undergoes. We need not, therefore, be surprised that the very ancient dependence of the sheep on man as its lord and master, should have been productive of many signal variations from the character of the original type, and that many anomalous features should have been assumed in consequence of repeated changes of food and climate, and the continuous action of an altered and artificial mode of management. We accordingly find, in the great proportion of our subdued varieties, that the lengthened limbs, and comparatively slender, though strong, active, and graceful forms, have disappeared, and been replaced by heavy proportions, and a consequently indolent disposition; and that the coarse, dry, brittle coating of hair has been succeeded by that woolly substance, of which human industry and ingenuity now form such abundant and manifold materials for the various uses of domestic economy, and the personal comforts of our race. The prodigious development of the wool, and almost entire disappearance of the hair, would indeed of themselves have sufficed to effect a complete alteration in the general aspect and physiognomy of the species; and this remarkable change has been produced in part by physical causes, and in part by the agency of man, who, aiding or counteracting as he best could, the observed tendencies of nature, has contrived to convert a general law of climate to his own individual advantage, thus making all things "work together for good."

(To be continued in next Number.)

ON THE USES TO WHICH CERTAIN INDIGENOUS PLANTS HAVE FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL BEEN EMPLOYED IN THE OUTER

HEBRIDES.

HOWEVER much the character of the Scottish Highlanders may suffer when it is compared, as to scientific and literary attainments, with that of their neighbours, we yet find, that, in acuteness of observation, the Celt is by no means behind the Saxon. A Highland peasant, of the present day, is a much better naturalist than a Lowland peasant. The former still participates of his original condition, when the observation of natural objects and phenomena was essential to his existence;the latter is like a domestic animal let loose in the woods, which knows nothing around it, and is as apt to devour a poisonous plant, as one capable of affording it nourishment. Contrary to the assertion of Dr MacCulloch, who has misunderstood and misrepresented the Highland character, there is hardly a large stone, a remarkable piece of rock, an eminence or hollow, a fountain, rill or pool-not to speak of mountains and glens, lakes, rivers, and arms of the sea-that has not received a characteristic designation, and that is not familiarly known to every inhabitant of the district in which it exists. The natural productions of each place are in like manner familiar to its inhabitants; and from the unlettered cottar of the remote Hebrides I have often received information, clear and copious, respecting a quadruped, a bird, or a plant, for which I should in vain have made application to the zoologists and botanists of the metropolis. The pretensions of the neglected and depreciated remnants of the Scottish Celts to an acquaintance with natural objects, cannot be better established than upon their successful observation of the vegetables indigenous to their country. There can be no doubt that many of our native plants are possessed of qualities similar and equal to those of others which we import, and there can be as little doubt that they are worthy of being investigated. With the view of attracting some attention to this subject, I propose giving a short account of the uses to which certain plants are applied by the

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natives of the Outer Hebrides, with whose character and practices a residence of many years among them has made me familiar.

I. Plants used as Food.

1. In former times, before the introduction of the potato, and when little corn was grown, the natives were often as much distressed by scarcity of food as they are occasionally at the present day, when their numbers are so much greater. In spring, among other expedients resorted to, they dug up large quantities of the root of the Silver-weed, Potentilla anserina. These roots are of an elongated form, about the thickness of a goose's quill, and covered with a brown pellicle. When boiled or roasted, their pulpy substance bears a great resemblance to that of the potato. When collected in quantity, and mashed, they do not seem at all inferior to that root as an article of food. At the present day, these roots are generally picked up by the children, from the newly-turned ground in spring, and frequently in considerable quantities. They are, however, more frequently eaten raw than boiled, being equally palatable in both states.

2. The roots of the Wild Carrot, Daucus Carota, a plant which occurs in excessive abundance in the sandy pastures, are also employed as an article of food. They are slender and tapering, somewhat tough, and aromatic, bearing no resemblance to those of the cultivated carrot. They are always eaten raw. The young women collect large quantities of them, for distribution among their acquaintances on Sundays, and at their dances.

3. The young leaves of the Common Nettle, Urtica dioica, are often boiled in soup, and in this state form a very palatable article of food.

4. In seasons of great scarcity, the soft stems and leaves of the Field Mustard, Sinapis arvensis, are collected in large quantities, and, after being boiled, are eaten with milk.

5. The Cow Parsnip, Heracleum Sphondylium, is occasionally eaten as a salad. The young succulent stems alone are used, after being stripped of their envelope.

6. The Charlock, Raphanus Raphanistrum, as well as Field Mustard, is used in the same manner.

7. The Common Sorrel, Rumex Acetosa, however, is the plant chiefly employed in this manner; and from the quantities which are yearly devoured of it, seems peculiarly grateful to the Hebridians.

8, 9. Porphyra vulgaris and laciniata, the common brown Laver or Slack, form a regular article of food in March and April. It grows very abundantly, and of large size, on all the rocky shores; and is prepared by boiling for several hours, mixed generally with a small quantity of salt butter; in which state, however, it is not very palatable. Several other species of marine Algæ are occasionally eaten, of which I shall only mention the principal.

10. Laminaria digitata, the Common Tangle. The entire portion of the yellowish brown palmated frond is heated over the fire, when it assumes a pale green colour, and becomes tough. It is then rubbed between the hands, till it be limber and soft, and in this state is greatly relished. The young stems are occasionally eaten raw.

11. Rhodomenia palmata, the Common Dulse, of which there are several varieties, is eaten both in the raw state, and boiled, like laver.

12. Alaria esculenta, the Badderlock, although much relished, is of less importance as an article of food.

II. Plants chewed or eaten as Luxuries.

13. The root of the Sea-grass or Grass-wrack, Zostera marina, which after storms is cast upon the shores in great abundance and extensively employed as manure, is chewed on account of the saccharine juice which it contains.

14. This is also the case with the tuberous root of the Heathpea, Orobus tuberosus.

15. Where there is a deficiency of tobacco, the islanders console themselves by chewing the root of the Marsh Trefoil, Menyanthes trifoliata, which has a bitter and acrid taste.

16. The root of Ligusticum scoticum, a plant extremely common in the maritime cliffs, is used in the same manner.