The Agricultural Features of the Paris Exhibition. 
239 
stand in need of improvement in "development and conforma- 
tion," which have always been regarded as the weak points of 
the Merino breed. 
From the National Bergerie at Rambouillet a few specimens 
of what mav be called the pure improved Merinos, which have 
rendered Rambouillet famous all over the country, were forwarded 
lor exhibition only. They were about equal in size, but bigger 
in the bone and rougher in the shapes than the average of the 
3/e/i5-Merinos. Specimens were also shown of the Mauchamp 
and the Merino-Mauchamp sheep. The Mauchamp sub-race is 
Merino-cross, started by M. Graux about fifty years ago. Its form 
is imperfect, but its wool is very fine. 
Long-wooUed French Sheep. — The second Section was filled by 
what are called the " Long-woolled Races of France. ' They 
occupv a large portion of the north-west of France, and though 
now divided into several varieties, they were originally descended 
from the Flemish breed. In the Xord they were called Flamand : 
in the Pas-de-Calais, Artoisien ; in the Somme, Picard ; in Seine- 
Inferieure, Normand ; in the two Charentes, Saintongeois ; and in 
La Vendee, Vendeen. The difference between the several varie- 
ties is slight, and all still retain the leading characteristics of the 
original Flemish race. They stand high on the leg, are not very 
fascinating in form ; and their wool is long and coarse. It is 
stated that their principal merit is aptitude to fatten ; but a 
stranger would not place them very high as meat-producing 
sheep. During the past thirty years they have been greatlv 
improved, in some cases by selection in breeding, and in others 
by the infusion of Leicester (Dishley) or Improved Kentish 
blood. The Leicester cross was invariably most successful. 
The principal prizes went to the Norman variety, the most 
successful exhibitor of these being !M. Lasnou, Seine-Inferieure. 
Common-icooUed Paces of the Plains. — Of these the principal 
varieties are the Berrichon and Solognot. The former are found 
chiefly in Indre, Cher, and part of Loir-et-Cher : and the latter 
in Loir-et-Cher. Similar in form and general appearance, these 
two races are described as being rustic, and easilv fed up ; while 
their flesh is said to be very savoury and much sought after. 
The wool, as a rule, is short, coarse, and drv ; the head is cu- 
riously curved, with the nose pointing upwards and the ears 
hanging back. The thighs are very thin and bare of wool. The 
Solognot is distinguished by the reddish colour of its nose and 
legs. In the south of Chateauroux there is a variety of the 
Berrichon called the Berrichon-Crevant, which enjoys a good re- 
putation for its fattening properties. These races have also been 
very substantially improved by crossing with other breeds, par- 
ticularly with the Southdowns and Leicesters of England. The 
