DIFFUSION OF DOMESTICATED SHEEP 251 



likewise reared to a considerable extent. Incidental 

 mention of the dates at which some of the European 

 breeds were first introduced into North America is 

 made in earlier chapters. 



In Australia, where the wool-industry has at- 

 tained an enormous development, more especially 

 in New South Wales, the merino is the most im- 

 portant breed, being especially well suited to the dry 

 climate. There are, however, other breeds in the 

 country, particularly in New Holland, among them 

 being the ordinary German sheep. In New 

 Zealand, on the other hand, the merino has not 

 attained the same pre-eminence as in Australia, the 

 most numerously represented breed being, as men- 

 tioned earlier, the Romney Marsh. 



The sheep introduced at an early date into the 

 islands of the South Pacific were mostly of the 

 Guinea and Congo long-legged breeds. The fact 

 that these sheep were already established on an 

 island near New Guinea at the time of Captain 

 Cook's visit has been mentioned in an earlier 

 chapter. 



