THE MERINO, OR FINE-WOOL TYPE OF SHEEP 485 



heavy, but should be moderately muscled and blended smoothly 

 to head and shoulders. The neck of the male should be more 

 heavily muscled, showing distinct masculinity, with some indication 

 of throatiness, or folds, according to type. The shoulders should 

 be smooth and incline well into the back and not be too promi- 

 nent. A prominence of shoulder is a very common feature with 

 this type. The withers are frequently sharp and high, although a 

 neat, close, nicely rounded, smooth top at this point is desirable, 

 especially with the ewes. More prominence of withers is desired 

 with rams, and some of the greatest sires have been very strong 

 in this respect. The breast and chest should exhibit considerable 

 depth, with a reasonable thickness in proportion. A common 

 feature of the Merino is to have too peaked a breast, lacking thick- 

 ness at the chest. The crops and fore flank, which show material 

 deficiency in many cases, should be reasonably well filled out. 

 The front legs of the Merino are characteristically crooked at the 

 knees. As one looks at them from in front the knees fairly touch 

 together, while the toes spread out. Sometimes the wool on the 

 legs causes deception in this respect, but as a rule the legs are 

 crooked at the knees, due primarily to a narrow chest. The pasterns 

 should be springy, of medium length, and should be strong and 

 support the sheep in proper form. Merino feet naturally incline 

 to grow long at the toes and thus throw the weight on the heel, 

 giving a poor and weak support. No breed of sheep shows poorer 

 feet than the Merino. The back of the Merino varies according 

 to the type. Those of type A usually are narrower and flatter of 

 rib. In any case a strongly supported, fairly wide back with level, 

 wide loin is essential. The back is very commonly depressed or 

 shows a marked dip or break, a feature to which breeders do not 

 give enough attention. The body should have a rather strongly 

 rounded-out form, the ribs showing a fair arch and considerable 

 length, thus furnishing ample feeding and breeding capacity. A 

 blocky, short body is not so typical as one with more roundness 

 and of moderate length. The hind flanks should show ample depth. 

 The hips of the Merino should be smooth, and not too prominent. 

 The rump of the Merino, in correct form, is long, level, and 

 wide, but a common defect of specimens of this breed, no matter 

 what the type, is a pea^,4jJ^o.^^„ru^. 



