326 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE; 



Of the Montarco flock shipped by others, about 2500 came to 

 Boston, Providence, New York, and other ports. All were 

 imported in the latter part of 1809 and '10, and early in 1811, 

 and were the only Leonese Transhumantes, if we include 

 Humphrey's and Livingston's, (which I have no doubt were of 

 the same stock,) that were ever shipped to the United States." 

 VARIETIES OP THE SPANISH SHEEP. Besides several other 

 breeds of sheep in Spain, consisting of long and coarse wool 

 and that of a medium staple, embraced under the different 

 names of Chorinoes, CJioaroes or Chundhs, the Merino is dis- 

 tinguished by two general divisions; the Transhumantes or 

 travelling, and the Estantes or stationary flocks. The for- 

 mer are subdivided according to the Provinces they occupy, 

 into Leonese, Segovian and Sorian. Many of the Estantes 

 were of the best quality in respect to carcass, constitution 

 and fleece, and such as were highly bred and in the hands of 

 intelligent breeders, were not surpassed by any of the Span- 

 ish flocks. There were also many choice sheep among the 

 Segovian and Sorian Transhumantes, but in general they 

 were decidedly inferior to those of Leon. These last were 

 universally regarded as the prime flocks of Spain. They 

 comprised the Escurial, the Paular, the Nigretti, the 

 Aqueirres or Muros, the Montarco, the Guadaloupe, Infan- 

 tado and some others. 



There is much contradictory testimony as to the compara- 

 tive merits of the last mentioned flocks, as they were found 

 in Spain ; which is owing in part, doubtless, to the difference 

 in the specimens subjected to examination. We subjoin some 

 of the most reliable authorities on this subject. M. Lastey- 

 rie, who investigated this matter closely says, " the Guada- 

 loupe have the most perfect form, and are likewise cele- 

 brated for the quantity and quality of their wool. The Pan- 

 tor bear much wool of a fine quality, but they have a more 

 evident enlargement behind the ears, and a greater degree 

 of throatiness, and the lambs have a coarse hairy appearance 

 which is succeeded by excellent wool. The lambs of the 

 Infantado have the same hairy coat when young. The 

 Nigretti are the largest and strongest of all the travelling 

 sheep in Spain." Mr. Livingston says, " The Kscurial is I In- 

 most perfect of all the travelling flocks in Spain ; the Gua- 

 daloupe for form, fineness and abundance of the fleece ; lh<- 

 Paular with similar fleeces are larger bodied. Those of 

 Castile and Leon have the largest with the finest coat. 

 Those of Soria are small with very fine wool ; and those 



