45 6

GENERAL REMARKS ON THE PENINSULA

the Crimean breed by the introdu&ion of Spanifh fheep;but the commotions of war, the diftance, and the little maritimeintercourfe with Spain, have hitherto prevented the executionof this fcheme. Neverthelefs, by means of Spanifh rams alone,under proper infpe£tion, and by fele&ing the beft ewes, agreat, if not a perfekt, amelioration of the Crimean wool mightbe effected. Nay, confiderable advantage might be derived,if the Romelian fheep from Adrianople (being nearer to usand more conveniently fituated for tranfportation), or theimproved Hungarian breed, were introduced; a plan, whichwould be attended with a trifling expence. No province ofthe empire is more favourable to the rearing of fheep, thanCrim-Tartary; nor is any bettei adapted by nature, efpeciallyfor fuch as are not ftationary; becaufe, in the fummer, theymay vifit the plains and the cool Alpine paftures of the Yaila,and in winter the fouthern vallies, that are free from fnow, orthe level tra&s along the fea-coaft; and, becaufe the wintersafe in general fo mild, that they may conftantly remain inthe open air.

The breed of goats is likewife confiderable in the Crimea,particularly on the mountains, and is alfo attended with profit,on account of the dearnefs of the fkins, which are ufed for themanufaöure of Morocco leather. The fine wool, that maybe obtained in large quantities by combing them in the fpring,is not colledted by the indolent Tartars. The goats are moftlyfmall,and fome of them are diftinguifhed by remarkable colours:many are black, with their legs, beilies, and cheeks of a brightyellow; others are uniformly of a flame-yellow, or reddifhcaft; but thofe with white hair are very fcarce. It often

happens,