and Extension of the Merino Breed of Sheep: 421 



It is not generally known in this country that, by a secret article in the treaty 

 of Basil, the French Directory had stipulated for itself the privilege of purchasing 

 in Spain, during each of five successive years, 1000 ewes and 100 rams. Several 

 years elapsed before France availed itself of this power. But, at lengih, about the 

 year 1799, or 1800, 1000 sheep were purchased in Spain by Gilbert, who died 

 before he had farther accomplished the object of his mission. Of these sheep, which 

 did not arrive in France till after his death, 360 were placed, at the national expense, 

 at Perpignan; and, in 1801, had increased to 735. The remaining 640 were dis- 

 tributed among different persons, who had become subscribers to the fund pro- 

 posed by the government for that purpose. After that period, the agricultural 

 society of the department of the Seine petitioned the government to allow them the 

 power of obtaining, by a subscription among themselves and others, the 4400 

 Merinos still due from Spain by the treaty of Basil. Their petition was granted ; 

 and two agents and several shepherds were sent into Spain in order to select and 

 conduct the whole number. Of these, 1 200 arrived in France in the year 1 802, and 

 were variously distributed. The remaining 3200 were to be purchased as quickly as 

 the Spanish government would permit. 



Among the detachments from the Rambouiliet flock, none is more justly intitled 

 to general notice than that of M. C. Pictet, of Geneva, who, in the year 1800, pur- 

 chased 12 ewes in lamb, and in 25 days conducted them safely to Lancy, the place 

 of their destination. Of some of his ram-lambs I have already mentioned the 

 progress in weight. The proportions of a ram some days before shearing were as 

 follows: Height of the fore-shoulder, inclusive of wool, 27 inches 3 lines French ; 

 or 29 inches 3^ lines English : Length, from the root of the horns to that of the tail, 

 3 feet 6 inches ; or 3 feet 8 inches 10 lines : Greatest circumference, 3 feet 11 

 inches; or four feet 2 inches 27 lines. Weight, 113 lb.; or, 123 lb. 2^ oz. Eng- 

 lish. The' height of an ewe was 24 inches 9 lines, or 26 inches 57 lines English: 

 Length, 3 feet 2 inches ; or 3 feet 4' inches : Circumference, 3 feet 8^ inches ; or 3 

 feet 11 inches, 6-j- lines. Weight 67 lb.; or 73 lb. English. The proper medium 

 live weight of M. C. Pictet'sewes is said, afterwards, to be from 80 to 951b. ; or, 

 from 87 lb. 3 oz. to 103 lb. 85 oz. English ; while of the ewes last imported from 

 Spain to Perpignan, only one reached golb. ; or, 98 lb. i^^oz. The average 

 •weight of the unwashed fleeces is said to be 6 lb ; 61b. 84 oz. English; and the 

 ■weight of that of the ram above-mentioned ii|lb, ; or, 12 lb, isfoz. English. 



