[123] 



united themselves into an association which, in time, be- 

 came augmented by the addition of others who, having ob- 

 tained flocks, were desirous of enjoying the same privileges. 

 The theater was extended in proportion as the actors be- 

 came more numerous ; and, by degrees, the periodical ex- 

 cursions of the flocks were extended to the plains of Estre- 

 madura, where the climate was more temperate and pastur- 

 age plenty. 



" The mesta requires the parts of the country where the 

 sheep are pastured to be set off in divisions, separated from 

 each other only by landmarks fences, or other kinds of 

 enclosure, being deemed unnecessary, as the flocks are con- 

 stantly attended by shepherds and dogs. Each of these 

 divisions is called a e dehesa,' and must be of a size capable 

 of maintaining about one thousand sheep in the grazing 

 stations of the north, and a greater number in those of the 

 south, where the lambs are yeaned and reared. Every pro- 

 prietor must possess as many dehesas in^each province as 

 will maintain his flock, which, in the aggregate, is called a 

 4 cavana/ and is divided into as many subdivisions, or 

 tribes, as there are thousands of sheep contained in it. 

 Each cavana is governed by an officer called ' mayoral/ or 

 chief shepherd. For each subdivision of a thousand sheep 

 there is allowed five under shepherds and five dogs. The 

 chief shepherd is required to be the owner of four or five 

 hundred sheep, must be strong, active, vigilant, intelligent,, 

 and well skilled in everything that relates to his flock. He 

 has absolute control over fifty shepherds and as many dogs, 

 whom he chooses, chastises, or discharges at will. Some of 

 the inferior shepherds assume the title of ' rabadan/ or 

 ' zagal,' whose duty it is to exercise a general superintend- 

 ence over his tribe, under the direction of the mayoral; also 

 to prescribe and administer medicines to the sick and 

 maimed. At the period of travailing, and when the ewes 

 are giving birth to their young, two or more extra hands 

 are allowed to every tribe ; and in time of shearing one 



