No. 216.] 251 



sheep, it could not have extended itself so rapidly as to have reached 

 the Boetica (Columella lived at Cadex,") to the mountains of the 

 Cantabria, and attract in so short a space of time the attention of 

 the Romans. 



The Cantabria had then little or no relation with the other prov- 

 inces; the Cantabrians were never entirely subdued. Horace says: 

 " Cantaber sera domitus catena." The regions they inhabited were 

 at a great distance from the Boetica. It must therefore be admitted 

 that the importation spoken of by Columella was only an experiment 

 tried at the southern extremity of Spain, and could not immediately 

 extend its influence to the northern parts of Spain, and even to the 

 Pyrenees. If you go back to more ancient times, you find the coast 

 of the peninsula and some of the provinces of the interior occupied 

 by the Phoenicians and the Carthaginians, people more of a trading 

 than a pastoral character. 



To the Carthaginians succeeded the Romans; it is known that the 

 policy of these conquerors was to take from those they conquered 

 what was precious and useful, rather than to add to the means of 

 their prosperity. If the Romans had fixed their regards and atten- 

 tion to the amelioration of the flocks, if in the midst of their tri- 

 umphs they had stopped to remark the immense benefits of this 

 branch of industry, and the great wealth it produces to individuals 

 and nations, would they not rather have enriched Italy with this 

 blessing rather than the extremity of the Boetica and the country of 

 Cantabria. 



It is in vain we search in the different ages at what peiiod the 

 pure race of Merinos producing fine wool was first introduced into 

 Spain, and the place from whence they were imported. It is in 

 vain that we interrogate history, tradition, travels and voyages to 

 learn with certainty the original type of the pure race of Merinos. 

 It is in vain that we search for them in any other country than 

 Spain. 



Some have thought ihat the Khorassan was the native country of 

 this precious race, aiul thrit its introduction into Spain was due to 

 the Arabs; but as a,- s-e above, the wool of the Boetica and Canta- 

 bria were in estinunif n loMg time before Spain was subject to the 

 sevt of Mahomet, Juuvtver, vi fact which hcis been preserved in his- 

 to' V destroys all the p!<»!)al)iliiy of this supposition We learn that 

 in ilie ninth era, tb- Citliphs ol Persia and Africa sent to Charle- 



