652 UNGULATA. 



THE MERINO. 



Originally, this animal is a native of Spain, a country which has 

 been for many centuries celebrated for the quantity and quality of its 

 wool. 



The Merino Sheep (Plate L), from which the fine Spanish wool is 

 obtained, were greatly improved by an admixture with the Cotswold 

 Sheep of England, some of which were sent to Spain in 1464, and the 

 fleece was so improved by the crossing, that the famous English wool 

 was surpassed by that which was supplied by Spain. 



The Merino Sheep is but of little use except for its wool, as, although 

 its mutton is sufficiently good when fattened, it consumes too much food, 

 and occupies so much time in the process of ripening, that it is by no 

 means a profitable animal. The Merino is larger in the limbs than the 

 ordinary English Sheep, and the male is furnished with large spiral 

 horns. The female is generally hornless, but sometimes possesses these 

 appendages on a very small scale. It is liable to bear a black fleece, the 

 sable hue continually making its appearance, even after long and careful 

 crossing. By good management the black tint has been confined to the 

 face and legs, but is ever liable to come out in spots or dashes in 

 the wool. There is always a peculiar hue about the face of a Merino 

 Sheep, not easy to describe, but readily to be recognized whenever 

 seen. 



In Spain, the Merinos are kept in vast flocks, and divided into two 

 general heads, the Stationary and the Migratory. The former animals 

 remain in the same locality during the whole of their lives, but the latter 

 are accustomed to undertake regular annual migrations. The summer 

 months they spend in the cool mountainous districts, but as soon as the 

 weather begins to grow cold, the flocks pass into the warmer regions of 

 Andalusia, where they remain until April. The flocks are sometimes 

 ten thousand in number, and the organization by which they are man- 

 aged is very complex and perfect. Over each great flock is set one 

 experienced shepherd, who is called the " mayoral," and who exercises 

 despotic sway over his subordinates. Fifty shepherds are placed under 

 his orders, and are supplied with boys and intelligent dogs. 



Under the guardianship of their shepherds, the Merino Sheep, which 

 have spent the summer in the mountains, begin their downward journey 



