whom they are so frequently associated,
and whom they so much resemble. In many instances, however, maternal
instinct has called forth their powers to a degree which has caused
surprise; and they have been known to traverse considerable distances to
seek the assistance of their own kind, or of their shepherd, when their
lambs have been in danger. Moreover, a ram is sometimes a formidable
enemy, when he thinks any mischief is intended towards the flock of
which he is the proud leader.

Of the attachment of sheep to their native place, Captain Brown gives a
very remarkable instance. "A ewe made a journey of nine days' length to
return to her native place, with her lamb; and was tracked so
completely, as to make her owners acquainted with her adventures.
Nothing turned her back, and whenever her lamb lagged behind, she urged
him on with her impatient bleating. When she reached Stirling, it was
the day of an annual fair, and she dared not venture into the crowd;
she, therefore, laid herself down by the road side, with her lamb,
outside the town, and the next morning early, stole through the streets,
only terrified at the dogs which she encountered. She came to a
toll-bar, the keeper of which stopped her, supposing she was a stray
animal, and would shortly be claimed. She frequently tried to get
through the gate, but was as often prevented, and she patiently turned
back. At last she found some means of eluding the obstacle, for on the
ninth day she reached her destination with her lamb, where she was
repurchased, and remained till she died of old age in her seventeenth
year."

Sheep have been known, when seized with an epidemic disorder, to absent
themselves from the rest of the flock, and hide themselves; and many
touching stories are told of the artifices of necessity practised to
wean them from their dead offspring, and make them adopt others; also of
the manner in which they remain and watch the inanimate objects of their
affection.

A gentleman travelling in a lonely part of the Highlands, received a
strong proof of sagacity in a ewe, who came piteously bleating to meet
him. When near, she redoubled her cries, and looked up in his face, as
if to ask his assistance. He alighted from his gig, and followed her.
She led him to a cairn at a considerable distance from the road, where
he found a lamb, completely wedged in betwixt two large stones, and
struggling with its legs uppermost. He extricated the sufferer, and
plac