426 Dr. Parry's Essay on the Nature, Produce, Origin, 



once had a ram of this breed, I can state that the wool chiefly consist? of very long 

 and coarse filaments like hair. Of these sheep it is supposed that there were in 

 that district, in 1 800, about one million. 



Besides these, there have been imported into the colony, at various times, in the 

 first instance about half a century ago, and, as it is said, by the family of Vati 

 Reenen, Spanish sheep; which, in 1800, were estimated at nearly 6000, and which 

 were constantly increasing, the food and climate appearing to suit them perfectly 

 well. Samples of the wool were at that time sent to England by Sir George Yonge, 

 and found to be of good quality. Of this Merino wool from the Cape, I possess 

 a specimen, certainly not the best. Sir George has lately given me a sample of the 

 wool of the flock of M. Van Reenen, at the Gantz Kraal, sent over in October, 

 1805, and which is from the fourth cross of the native hair-bearing ewes with pure 

 Merino rams. This specimen is a convincing example of what may be effected 

 merely by judicious crossing. The staple is shortened, and the filament is become 

 so fine, that another cross must, beyond all doubt, make it fully equal to good 

 Spanish wool. 



From these Cape Merinos sprung those sheep which, in 1797, were carried to 

 the English setdement on the coast of New Holland, by Captain M'Arthur. Of 

 this gentleman I cannot better report the progress and future projects, than by 

 copying his Memorial to the English government in the year 1803. 



Statement of the Improvement and Progress of the Breed offine-woolled Sheep in 

 New South Wales; delivered at the Right Honourable Lord Hobart's Office, 

 July 26, 1805. 



" The samples of wool brought from New South Wales having excited the par- 

 ticular attention of the merchants and principal English manufacturers. Captain 

 M'Arthur considers it his duty respectfully to represent to his Majesty's ministers, 

 that he has found, from an experience of many years, the climate of New South 

 Wales is peculiarly adapted to the increase of fine-woolled sheep ; and that from 

 the unlimited extent of luxuriant pastures with which that country abounds, millions 

 of those valuable animals may be raised in a few years, with butlitdc other expense 

 than the hire of a few shepherds. 



The specimens of wool that Captain M'Arthur has with him have been inspected 



