364 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 
early importations attracted considerable attention among 
sheep-men, which resulted in increased importations. 
One of the most influential of these early importers was 
Robert Livingston, who made his first importation in 
1802. By his writings and by his political influence he 
advanced the interest in Merinos very greatly. Another 
prominent importer was William Jarvis, of Vermont, then 
the United States consul at Lisbon. Mr. Jarvis sent to 
this country a total of about four thousand head, which 
were widely distributed through the East. All of these 
sheep were of superior breeding, and included representa- 
tives from the families of Paular, Escurial, Aguirre, Ne- 
grette, and Montarcos. From this time for many years 
Merinos were on the crest of popularity, and prices ruled 
very high. Plumb states that “it is estimated that from 
April 1, 1810, to August 31, 1811, there were brought to 
the United States 19,651 Merino sheep.”’ Most of the 
sheep imported from Spain were of the great migratory 
group. 
Merinos in America are now grouped in three great 
families, designated as the American Merino, the Delaine 
and the Rambouillet. 
448. Families. — The principal families represented 
in the American importations, and hence the progenitors 
of our modern American Merinos, were as follows: 
Paular Merinos.— The Paulars were owned by the 
Carthusian friars of Paular. These friars had one of 
the handsomest flocks in Spain, with soft, silky, close and 
compact wool, carrying less surface yolk than some other 
types. The Paular lambs were hairy at birth. The 
Paular subtype of the American Merino is a well-estab- 
lished strain. 
Aguirre Merinos.— These were very well-covered 
