336 SHEEP 



wrinkled, and somewhat thick or Roman with the rams, is pre- 

 ferred. There should also be ample width between large, clear, 

 mild eyes, with a prominent forehead. The ears should be fine 

 and short, be actively carried, and have a covering of silky hair. 

 The horns, which occur on the males, as a rule interfere with 

 a natural action and movement of ear. The horns on mature 

 rams are large, are rather angular at the base, and have a spiral 

 turn backward, then downward, around forward, and up, form- 

 ing a more or less corkscrew shape. The horn when fully devel- 

 oped usually shows one and one-half turns, and with some the 

 tip of horn turns upward and with others down. The head of the 

 male, as a whole, should show sex character in a strong degree. 



The 7ieck of the Merino should be of moderate length, neither 

 thin nor thick and heavy, but should be moderately muscled and 

 blended smoothly to head and shoulders. The neck of the male 

 should be more heavily muscled, showing distinct masculinity, 

 with some indications of throatiness or depth of covering. 



The s/ioiilders should be smooth and incline well into the 

 back, and not be too prominent. A prominence of shoulder is 

 a too common feature with this type. The withers are fre- 

 quently sharp and high, although a neat, close, nicely rounded, 

 smooth top at this point is desirable especially with the ewes. 

 More prominence of withers is desired with rams, and some of 

 the greatest sires have been very strong in this respect. 



The breast and chest should exhibit considerable depth, with 

 a reasonable thickness in proportion. A common feature of the 

 Merino is to have too peaked a breast, lacking thickness at the 

 chest. The crops and fore flank, which show material deficiency 

 in many cases, should be reasonably well filled out. 



The front legs of the Merino are characteristically crooked 

 at the knees. As one looks at them from in front the knees 

 fairly touch together, while the toes spread out. Sometimes 

 the wool on the legs causes deception in this respect, but as a 

 rule the legs are too crooked at the knees, due primarily to a 

 narrow chest. The same rule will apply to sheep as to other 

 animals in regard to position of leg, quality of bone, and length 

 of parts. The pasterns should be springy, of medium length, 

 and should be strong and support the sheep in proper form. 



