HIGHLAND SHEEP. 549 



long and careful crossing. By good management the black tint lias been confined to the face 

 and legs, but is ever liable to come out in spots or dashes in the wool. There is always a 

 peculiar hue about the face of a Merino Sheep, not easy to describe, but readily to be recog- 

 nized whenever seen. 



In Spain, the Merinos are kept in vast flocks, and divided into two general heads, the Sta- 

 tionary and the Migratory. The former animals remain in the same locality during the whole 

 of their lives, but the latter are accustomed to undertake regular annual migrations. The sum- 

 ■ mer months they spend in the cool mountainous districts, but as soon as the weather begins to 

 grow cold, the flocks pass into the warmer regions of Andalusia, where they remain until April. 

 The flocks are sometimes ten thousand in number, and the organization by which they are 

 managed is very complex and perfect. Over each great flock is set one experienced shepherd, 

 who is called the "mayoral," and who exercises despotic sway over his subordinates. Fifty 

 shepherds are placed under his orders, and are supplied with boys and intelligent dogs. 



Under the guardianship of their shepherds, the Merino Sheep, which have spent the sum- 

 mer in the mountains, begin their downward journey about the month of September ; and after 

 a long and leisurely march, they arrive at the pasture-grounds, which are recognized instinct- 

 ively by the Sheep. In these pasturages the winter folds are prepared, and here are born the 

 young Merinos, which generally enter the world in March, or the beginning of April. Towards 

 the end of that month the Sheep begin to be restless, and unless they are at once removed, 

 will often decamp of their own accord. Sometimes a whole flock will thus escape, and, guided 

 by some marvellous instinct, will make their way to their old quarters unharmed, except, per- 

 chance, by some prowling wolf, who takes advantage of the shepherd's absence. 



The very young lambs are not without their value, although they furnish no wool, for 

 their skins are prepared and manufactured into gloves, and called by the name of "kid." 



Many attempts have been made to naturalize this most important animal, but with little 

 success. At one time the Merino Sheep was in the highest repute, but as it does not combine 

 the mutton-making with the wool-producing power, it has long ago been left unnoticed. It is 

 found that if a Merino be left untouched by the shears for two seasons, the wool will double its 

 length, and be equally fine in texture. In one case, a half-bred Merino was clipped after having 

 been put aside for a whole year, and it was found that her fleece weighed twenty-one pounds, 

 the length of the "pile" being eight inches. The health of the Sheep appears to be uninjured 

 by permitting the animal to retain its coat for two years. 



The Australian Sheep, which roams the plains in such vast multitudes, and which fur- 

 nishes so large a supply of wool to the world's commerce, owes much of its value to a cross 

 with the Merino, several of which animals were imported into Australia by some far-seeing 

 man of business. 



The hardy, active, and endurant variety of the domestic Sheep which inhabits the High- 

 lands of Scotland, partake in a great degree of the characters of the wild animal, and demand 

 a specially trained shepherd to watch over them. 



Pastoring together in enormous herds, and living upon vast ranges of bleak, hilly country, 

 the light and active Highland Sheep is a very intelligent and independent creature, quite dis- 

 tinct in character from the large, woolly, unintellectual animal that lives only in the fold, and 

 is regularly supplied with food by the careful hand of its guardian. It is very sensitive to 

 atmospheric influences, and is so ready in obeying the directions of its own instinct, that 

 a good shepherd, when he first rises in the morning, can generally tell where to find his 

 Sheep, merely by noticing the temperature, the direction of the wind, and the amount of 

 ' moisture in the air and on the ground. As the Highland Sheep is able to wander to consider- 

 able distances from its proper home, the shepherd is aided in his laborious task by several 

 of those wonderful dogs whose virtues and powers have already been recorded in the course of 

 this work. 



Much of the disposition of the flock depends upon the temperament of the shepherd. An 

 irritable or impatient man will speedily render his flock almost as unmanageable as his own 

 temper, while he who is gentle and patient, though resolute and firm, will have his charge so 



