though eaten in Norway and Iceland, is extremely rank and coarse.
Shave-grass. See Horse-tail, the Rough.
SHAVING is the act of removing the hair from the beard, by means of a razor.
This operation greatly contributes to cleanliness; and though, from peculiar circumstances, a person be prevented from performing it regularly, yet the chin ought to be shaved every second day, or at least twice in the week, both to avoid the slovenly appearance, and the uncomfortable sensation, which such neglect necessarily occasions. For this purpose, the face ought to be previously washed with tepid water, and a thick lather laid on, with a proper brush. The part of the skin, from which the hair is to be cleared, should then be gently stretched with the fingers of the left hand, while the razor is applied in a flat position, and with a considerable degree of pressure forwards: being at the same time drawn obliquely downwards.
After the operation, the face ought to be washed with cold water, and the instrument wiped perfectly dry, either on a cloth or soft leather. For the proper management of Razors, previously to shaving, the reader will consult that article in its alphabetical series.
SHAWL, a species of fine woollen handkerchief, which forms a principal article of female luxury.
The finest shawls are imported from the East Indies, where they are highly esteemed, and cost from fifty to two hundred guineas each. As these, however, are too expensive for general use, Mr. John Philip Knights, an ingenious manufacturer of Norwich, has invented a method of making shawls, which are nearly equal in beauty, but far superior in point of durability, to the former; for which, in 1792, the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, &c. conferred on him their silver medal. The shawls of Mr. K.'s manufacture (Transactions, &c. vol. x.) cannot be easily distinguished from those of India; though they are sold at one-twentieth part of the price; and we conceive it our duty to state, that, if the handkerchiefs be 16 quarters square, and embroidered, they may be retailed at 20l.; or, if plain, at 8l. 8s.; if they contain 12 quarters, and be embroidered, their price is 15l.; but, without such ornament, they cost only six guineas. Mr. Knights also makes elegant counterpanes, four yards square; and which, he affirms to be equal to those of India, sold at 200l. each:—the principal demand for such goods, however, consists in train-dresses for ladies, and long scarfs, in imitation of the Indian: and, though the foreign articles of this description cost from 60l. to 80l. those manufactured at Norwich are sold for as many shillings.
SHEEP, or Ovis, a genus of quadrupeds consisting, according to Linnæus, of three species; though later naturalists admit only one, and consider the others as varieties. The principal is the aries, or common ram and ewe. Their bodies are covered with long, whitish, slender interwoven hair, which is termed wool; and, when shorn, the fleece:—they have eight fore-teeth in the lower jaw; and the heads of the males or rams, are furnished with concave horns, remarkably wrinkled and curved.
In a wild state, the sheep is lively, robust, and able to support