

RUMINANTIA. 225 



greater quantity of butter and cheese. In some cases, water 

 must be added in order to produce whey. The history of these 

 animals is intermingled with poetical descriptions and national 

 customs and enactments. They are mentioned in the earliest 

 scripture records, and formed the chief wealth of the ancient 

 patriarchs. Among the Jews, under the economy of Moses, the 

 lamb was offered in sacrifice, pointing to "Christ, the Heav- 

 enly Lamb;" and in the New Testament these animals are the 

 subjects of many beautiful and touching parables. 



(M& aries. The COMMON SHEEP. 



This exhibits numerous varieties, and many of its form have 

 been raised to the rank of species. The Ovis Hispanicus, the 

 Spanish, or Merino Sheep, is among the most celebrated. These 

 sheep, it is said, are the regenerated stock of the sheep of Boeotia, 

 and survived the conquest of Spain by the Goths and Vandals. 

 They have been transferred to Great Britain, Germany and the 

 United States ; and are remarkable for the fineness of their 

 wool. In Germany, the wool has been brought to the highest 

 perfection. Merino Sheep were introduced into Great Britain in 

 1787. The original stock in this State, (N. Y.,*) was derived 

 from Holland; the Merino variety was first introduced in 1801 ; 

 though their importance was not fully appreciated until seven or 

 eight years after that period ; when the excitement respecting 

 them became very great, and they were sold at enormous prices. 



Of the Merino Sheep, there are three varieties, viz., the 

 Paular, the Negretti, and the Gaudaloupe breeds. The quality 

 of the wool has been improved by the introduction of Saxony 

 Sheep, (originally of the same Merino race,) 



The breeds of sheep are distinguished by the comparative 

 length of the fibres, which compose their fleece. They are de- 

 signated as short- wooled, middle- wooled, and long-wooled sheep. 

 To the short- wooled division belong the " Merino, Saxony and 

 Australian breeds, whose short, fine and silky wool is used in 

 the manufacture of broadcloths. The middle-wooled breeds, 

 such as the English South-down, Suffolk and Cheviot, furnish 

 material for the coarser cloths, flannels and similar fabrics. 

 The Leicester breed, and some others, are long-wooled. The 

 fibre of the wool in these sheep is strong and transparent, but is 

 deficient in the powei offelling, on which the compactness of 

 cloth depends. This wool is used for merinoes, moussehnes de 

 fame, hosiery, etc. Welsh sheep are noted for the superior flavor 

 of their flesh, and "in the London market Welsh mutton is always 

 in demand." 



* DeKay. 



