CHAPTER XIII 
THE WOOL BREEDS OF SHEEP 
TuesE breeds are all derivates or subdivisions of the 
great Merino group, so that wool and Merino are synon- 
ymous. The wool type bears much the same relation to 
the mutton type of sheep that the dairy type bears to 
the beef type of cattle. Their form is of less scale, more 
angular, narrower, with lighter quarters, and the sheep 
are slower maturing and yield a carcass deficient in flesh- 
ing and finish. On the other hand, they produce fleeces 
of the finest staple and in greatest quantity. 
Merino SHEEP. Plate XIV. 
By Joseph E. Wing 
445. Of the Merinos there are several families, all of 
which are characterized by the production of fine fleece. 
The name ‘“ Merino” comes from Spain and has been 
variously explained. 
446. History in Spain. — Merino sheep are native of 
Spain. The land is of variable topography, there being 
wide, dry plains, high, cool mountains and tablelands and 
well-watered valleys. 
As to the origin of the Merino, little is known. Pro- 
fessor Low says that the sheep of Spain came originally 
from Phoenicia and Carthage, introduced by the Car- 
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