THE SHEEP. 138

nations ; for horses were sacrificed to the sun, hogs to Ceres,
dogs to Hecate, and wolves to Mars; camels also were sacri-
ficed by the Arabians. Fish are never named as offerings at
the altar.

The prevalence of this practice in all nations has given
rise to much discussion, and various opinions are held ‘as
to its origin, but the subject is involved in too much ob-
scurity to be profitably discussed in a work of this nature.
Its antiquity is shown in the history of Abel, Noah, and
the other Hebrew patriarchs ; its universality, by the records
of all ancient nations, and also by reference to existing
usages among different people in various parts of the world :
thus the laws of Moses on this subject were not by any
means singular or peculiar, but only modifications of existing
and well-known customs. In Egypt, where the Israelites
had so long sojourned, white bulls, without a single black
hair, were sacrificed to Apis, and, after minute examination
by the priest, were sealed by him, to testify their fitness for
the purpose of an offering. The sacrifices of the Hebrews
were also commanded to be “ without blemish” and “ with-
out spot.” Abraham offered “a ram of three years old.”
Aaron also offered a “ram for a burnt-offering.” Balak,
by command of Balaam, offered “seven bullocks and seven