FARM ANIMALS 393 



world. But as in the case of cattle, almost every sheep- 

 raising country has its own breeds, adapted to its own 

 conditions. 



FIG. 200. Merino sheep. 



In general sheep will do well on much poorer food 

 mostly pasture than beef cattle. They will therefore 

 thrive on arid plains, and on desert vegetation where cows 

 would starve. Of course, the finest wool and meat require 

 good feed. But we find large flocks of sheep on the heather 

 plains of Europe and Asia, and on the barren hill country of 



