The Shepherds^ Guide. 11 



The yolk is a greasy secretion from the skin, 

 which, although occasionally found in other 

 breeds of sheep, especially when fat, always 

 abounds so considerably in the Merino as to be in 

 some measure characteristic of the species. It is 

 this substance which gives the peculiar softness to 

 his wool, which greatly improves its fulling and 

 felting qualities, and which, like all other whole- 

 some secretions^ is a sure mark of the health of 

 the animal ; so much so, that we are assured by 

 all who have had any experience on the subject, 

 that wherever the yolk is found to rise freely, we 

 may conclude the animal will thrive. It is from 

 the abundance and greasy nature of this secretion 

 in the Merino, that the surface of the best fleeces 

 assumes a blackish, or dark brown appearance ; 

 the yolk mixing v/ith, and retaining the dust and 

 soil, forms with it a crust, which, at the 

 same time that it gives a dirty appearance to the 

 animal, contributes to defend it from the ill effects 

 of heat, as well as cold and wet. Another and 

 most singular property of the Merino is, that he 

 does not shed his wool annually, as is supposed 

 to be the case with all other sheep. Mr. Laysterie 

 informs us, that in the year 1797, a ewe of Ram- 

 bouillet was left unshorn, and that the next year, 

 1798, her fleece unwashed, weighed 14 lbs. 10 oz. 

 the filaments twice the usual length : that ano- 

 ther, first shorn at the age of 30 months, yielded 

 21 lbs. 8 inches long ; although she was 5 months 



