SHEEP AND GOATS 251 



of all Merinos is very oily, owing to the large quantity of 

 yolk, an oily secretion which comes from glands located at 

 the root of the wool fibre. This oil passes along the wool 

 fibre to its end, where it catches a great deal of dust and dirt 

 and is also darkened in color by the sun. This explains why 

 Merino sheep always look so dirty. Other breeds of sheep also 

 have yolk in their wool, but it is usually small in quantity. 

 The form of the Merino is not so plump, square, and blocky 

 as that of the breeds already described. Its neck and legs 

 have the appearance of being long. Owing to a thin chest, 

 the legs often stand too close together in front. The skin is 

 loose and is gathered into large wrinkles or folds, especially 

 on the neck. I 



All Merino breeds originated in Spain. Here sheep-raising 

 was an important industry for many centuries, but is not so 

 any more. Nothing is known of the beginning of sheep- 

 husbandry in Spain. There were many types of Merinos 

 there, and from them the various Merino breeds throughout 

 the world have been developed. In the United States we have 

 the American Merino and the Rambouillet 



The American Merino was developed from the Spanish 

 breeds. Merinos were first brought to the United States 

 from Spain about 1793. Since that time many Merinos have 

 been imported from Spain, and much has been done by selec- 

 tion and careful feeding to improve the breed. The American 

 Merino has heavy folds of skin all over its body except on the 

 back. The rams have horns, but the ewes have none. The 

 entire body and legs are covered with wool. The nose, ears, 

 and lower part of the head are not covered with wool. The 

 quantity of yolk, or oil, in the wool is so great that when 

 fleeces are scoured a very large shrinkage in weight, often as 



