370 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 
The skin is of the most attractive pink. The prevailing 
fashion is to have three to five heavy folds on the neck, 
large on the under side, but not on the upper side; 
two or three short folds on 
and immediately back of 
each elbow or arm; fine, 
thick wrinkles running down 
the sides, but not extending 
over the back. Wrinkles 
may also be found across 
the hips, sometimes from 
the tail in the direction of 
the stifle and sometimes at 
right angles with them. Folds may occur around the tail 
to give it a wide appearance, and also across the thigh, 
with a deep flank. The fleece 
covers the entire sheep, 
except the tip of the nose 
and the hoofs. Usually the 
eyes are hidden by wool. 
The outside of the fleece is a 
dirty brown, but inside it is 
white and glistening. The 
one-year-old fleece will show 
a length of about two and 
one-half inches. The size of 
Fig. 72.— American Merino ram. 
: E 2 Fic. 73.— American Merino ewe. 
the American Merino varies j 
much. Ewes may weigh 80 or 100 pounds, rams 100 or 
175 pounds. (Figs. 72, 73.) 
The American Merino does not reach maturity until 
between three and four years of age, and in this respect 
ranks below other breeds. It is characterized, however, 
by longevity. 
