AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM 91 



of this Vvoolto all others, for every purpose of clothing' 

 manufacture ; and as it is occasionally found in other 

 breeds of short wool sheep, I think it right to enlarge a 

 little upon it. — By " yolk," is meant that yellow sub- 

 stance which escapes fi-oni tl)e skin, and is to be found in 

 the wool of every Merino sheep, w hen in health and goodi 

 condition. Tiiis singular property it is which qualifies 

 wool for the milling or felting process, and which, in 

 fact, makes the difference between good and bad cloth. 

 It is the surest symptom of health in sheep; and I can- 

 not help considering it as similar to those wholesome se- 

 cretions in other animals which are the invariable con- 

 comitants of health, if not cairied to excess: I mean that 

 cold dew which we iJnd in i\\^ nose of the ox and cow; 

 this moisture dried up, is the first and surest sign of fe- 

 ver; so, in the human species, when the nasal discharge 

 is regular, health prevails ; in fever, it constantly disap- 

 pears. I may be mistaken in calling these properties 

 analogous; I amnotin stating that they are severally the 

 surest criterion of health and disease. When a sheep 

 is fatted, this yolk is thrown out in an increased degree; 

 and, in our English breeds, would prol^ably be attended 

 with a deterioration of the wool ; but in the JMerino race 

 of sheep, as far as my pi-actice has gone, it adds only to 

 the length of the pile. T see no deficiency of yolk in Me- 

 rino sheep in England, well kept and inured to the cli- 

 mate ; and I am decidedly of opinion, that it is the best 

 proof we ca.. ! ^'ve to guide us, that any climate is not too 

 severe, whilst the yolk rises. If it will rise in Lapland 

 Merino sheep will prosper there. 



In other respects, these sheep are not much unlike 

 some English breeds. The rams, indeed, have a buff 

 tinge in their countenance ; they may reach 17 lbs. a quar. 

 ter, when tolerably fat ; the ewes arc not low on their logs, 

 arc very fine in bone, and may reach 11 lbs. a quarter- 

 There are various opinions as to their origin ; Mr. Toilet 

 thinks it, may be traced from Asia JNiinor, and Greece^ 

 into Italy ; from thence, probably, into Spain. Colu- 

 m.^lla, and other writirs, call thein '• Tcircnlinc sbeejv* 



