SHEEP 



275 



than in the other breeds. There is an oil secreted by the 

 skin which makes the wool very oily; this is called the yolk. 

 The oil catches much dust, which always gives the sheep a 

 dirty appearance. The sheep are quite small in size and lack 

 the plump form found in the mutton breeds. The mutton 

 is not of good quality, and none but the largest are used for 

 this purpose. 



There are three breeds of Merinos found in America. 

 They are all descendants of the original Spanish blood. These 



Fig 182. 



Fig. 183. 



Fig. 1^- ; Merino ram. " rcrfcction." Note the wrinkles all over him 



except on the ;..-... 



Fig. 183. — llambouillet or French Merino of the fine wooled type. 



are (1) American Merino; (2) Rambouillet ( Ram-boo-ya') 

 or French Merino; (3) Delaine Merino. The males have 

 spiral horns and the females are without horns. 



In all of these the fine wool covers the body and legs down 

 to the feet; but the nose and ears are usually free from wool. 

 The American Merino (Fig. 182) is the smallest and has deep 

 wrinkles or folds all over the body except on the back. The 

 Delaine is less wrinkled and is somewhat larger. The Ram- 

 bouillet (Fig. 183) is much the largest of the group, with 

 no folds at all except sometimes on the neck and breast. 



The Merinos are all hardy and good grazers. Their 

 grades are used for grazing in large flocks on the Western 

 plains. 



