Hie Agricultural Features of the Paris Exhibition. 235 
him could not possibly have been found. Of great size, they 
were well brought out and full of character. Both mutton and 
wool were plentiful in these lots. They were descended mainly 
from the stocks of Mr. William Lane, Broadfield, Gloucestershire, 
and Mr. Game, Aldsworth, Gloucestershire, Four special prizes 
were awarded to them. 
Cheviots. — Mr. John Robson, Birness, Otterburn, Northum- 
berland, was the only exhibitor of these hardy, active. Border 
mountain sheep. He entered ten, all very good sheep, well- 
bred, nicely furnished animals, well-covered with flesh of fine 
quality. 
Black-faces. — Of this profitable Scotch breed there were 
twelve entries, the only exhibitors being Mr. J. Duncan of 
Benmore, Kilmun, Argyleshire ; and Mr. W. Beattie, Crock- 
nacunnie, Ireland. The premiums were equally divided between 
the two, Mr. Duncan being first and Mr. Beattie second among 
the tups, while the order was reversed in the female class. In 
each of the two lots there were some really good specimens. 
Mr. Duncan's first-prize tup, two years old, handsome in body, 
and excellent on the top, was bred by Mr. Aiken, Listonshiels, 
and was third in his class at the " Highland " Show at Edin- 
burgh last year. Mr. Beattie's sheep were descended mainly 
from the Overshiels stock, and were well-bred, large in size, and 
of good quality. The demand for Black-faced sheep was active, 
and Mr. Beattie disposed of his lot to Frenchmen at high prices. 
One yearling tup and three gimmers were secured for a Zoological 
Garden in the West of France. 
Feench Sheep. 
Merino Breed. — Justice will be done to French Sheep-hus- 
bandry by another pen. We need therefore say very little on 
the subject here. The importance which attaches to the Merino 
breed will best be understood when it is mentioned that, in a pure 
state or nearly so, it is represented in round numbers by about 
9,000,000 animals ; and that, with all the crosses which possess 
less or more Merino blood, it makes nearly two-thirds of the 
whole stock of sheep in France, which in 1873 numbered close 
on 26,000,000. This woolly tribe, which, having been brought 
from Africa to Spain, spread from the latter country not only 
over a vast extent of the continent of Europe, but also Westwards 
into the broad prairies and wide mountain ranges of America, 
was introduced into France in 1786. In that year Louis XVI. 
obtained permission from the King of Spain to select and 
import 364 specimens of the breed ; and with these he established 
a Government or National heryerie or flock at his property of 
