472 History of the Aiiihor's 



This conclusion is far from being invalidated by the constant intercourse of the 

 Merino flocks ; for no more injury in point of health and vigour can be supposed 

 to arise from a promiscuous connection between 50, or even 20 thousand individuals 

 of which these flocks are composed, than between the whole of the two sexes of 

 human beings in an entire nation. How far the principle of breeding in and in may 

 be beneficially carried among those animals which are provided for the nourishment 

 of man, it remains for experience to determine. 



The Merino-Ryeland is a hardy race of sheep, living well in high and exposed 

 situations, and, according to the constant observation of my shepherd, bearing ex- 

 treme cold much better than great heat. It is much more easily confined by fences, 

 and more docile and obedient to the shepherd and his dog than the pure Ryeland ; 

 and what is more extraordinary in the instance of my sheep, than a flock of 60 half 

 Leicester half Ryeland ewes, which are now feeding near them. It is certain, 

 however, that, in the same breed of sheep, great difference in this respect will arise 

 from habits of feeding, and other treatment. 



The ewes have two lambs at a birth, probably not once in two or three hundred 

 times ; and have very rarely a black lamb. They are seldom barren, and from the 

 time that they are 2 shear, are excellent nurses. I once thought that they were 

 incapable of rearing their lambs well at one shear ; but subsequent experience has 

 led me to conclude that I was deceived, and that, when properly nourished, they 

 are, in this respect, equal to other breeds. The lambs are fully as playful as those 

 of our native kinds. 



The majority of the rams have long spiral horns, like those of Spain ; and 

 as, like them, they are extraordinarily salacious, they often use these natural wea- 

 pons to the injury, and sometimes the destruction, of each other. In this respect, I 

 presume, they resemble other horned rams. 



The skin of the Merino-Ryeland has the same vivid tint of carnation as that 

 of the pure Merino ; and, like that, an astonishing degree of thinness, softness and 

 looseness. 



