100 EUROPEAN SHEEP. 



tion into the colony. The testimony is conclusive of a deci- 

 dence in fineness, and also in the felting property. The diam- 

 eter of a fibre from a sample of picklock taken from a fleece 

 belonging to Captain McArthur, whose flock is esteemed the 

 purest and best in the colony, was the l-780th of an inch, about 

 the same as pure Merino, and the serrations 2400 in the span 

 of an inch less by 150 than Merino, and 320 less than a 

 fibre of picklock Saxon. This is the result of a microscopic 

 view made by Mr. Youatt, and he remarks as follows : — 

 " The serrations of this sample were very sharp, and in ap- 

 pearance almost barbed. But there is a marked diflference, 

 not only in the length but in the structure of the Saxon wool, 

 as obtained direct from Germany and imported from Austra- 

 lia. The fibre of the Australian is considerably longer, but 

 it is not so fine — the serrations are not so numerous — ^they 

 are of a diflferent character, seemingly giving pliability and 

 softness to the one, and feltiness to the other. In truth, the 

 manufacturer has properly classed them, although he knew 

 nothing of their microscopic appearance. He has appropri- 

 ated the true Saxon wool to the niaking of the finest cloth, 

 owing to its superior felting quality ; and he is using the 

 Australian wool for the better combing purposes, in which a 

 strong tough wool, soft and long in the staple, is useful." 



Before proceeding to give an account of the mode of man- 

 aging sheep in Australia, taken from Cunningham's " Two 

 Years in South Wales," it is proper to state the fact, not 

 perhaps known to every reader, that it is to the colonies of 

 New South Wales and Van Dieman's Land England banish- 

 es her criminals, to expiate their crimes in menial servitude, 

 not a few of which are employed in the capacity of shep- 

 herds. 



" When the country is destitute of timber, the sheep are 

 very easily managed, and so many as a thousand may be 

 trusted to a single shepherd ; but in general they are divided 

 into flocks of about three hundred breeding ewes, or four 

 hundred wethers. Every flock has a shepherd, who takes 

 his sheep out to graze before sunrise, and brings them in at 

 evening. He keeps always before the flock, to check the 

 forward among them from running onwards, and wearing 

 out the old, sick, and lame ; making all thus feed quietly, so 

 as to keep them in good condition. In summer he sees, too, 

 that they have water during the heat of the day ; and in 

 drawing' up under a tree for shade, when it is too hot for 



