THE WOOL BREEDS OF SHEEP 367 
hot, dry ranges well suited to their needs, and to the 
production of a high grade of wool. 
449. Description. — The distinguishing characteristic 
of the Merino is its covering, which is of very fine wool, 
usually delicately crimped. This wool is generally short, 
ranging from an inch or less to four inches, and sometimes 
to a greater length. It is dense, that is, there are a great 
number of wool fibers to the square inch of skin. A 
Merino will carry 40,000 to 48,000 fibers to the square 
inch. Wool normally grows over the Merino to the tips 
of the ears and to the hoofs of the feet. In the Merino 
is seen the greatest development of wool in proportion to 
carcass of any breed. In Spain, the best rams of the early 
days are reported to have yielded about 6 to 8 per cent 
of their weight in wool, while in America, in about 1844, 
the yield had increased to 15 per cent. This, of course, 
is unwashed wool. The appearance of the Merino is not 
very pleasing. The form, seen when shorn, is usually 
angular, the shoulders often narrow, the back not usually 
so straight or strong as in some English breeds, the legs . 
less straight and often of greater length, the neck more 
slender. The Merino ram usually has horns, giving the 
appearance of masculine vigor. The appearance of weak- 
ness in the Merino is hardly borne out by its behavior. 
It is very enduring and resistant, withstanding storm, 
cold and starvation better than most sheep, and its vital 
force is very strong. 
450. Uses of Merino sheep. — Merino sheep are kept 
primarily for their wool. It is true that, after they have 
served their time for this purpose, they are commonly 
fattened and made into mutton, yet the fleece is usually 
the first consideration with the Merino flockmaster. 
Much attention is paid to the quantity and quality of 
