Chap. XX. METHODICAL SELECTION. 181 



" the lambs are weaned, eacli in his turn is placed upou a 

 " table that his wool and form may be minutely observed. 

 " The finest are selected for breeding and receive a first 

 " mark. When they are one year old, and prior to shearing 

 " them, another close examination of those previously marked 

 " takes place : those in which no defect can be found receive 

 " a second mark, and the rest are condemned. A few months 

 ' afterwards a third and last scrutiny is made ; the prime 

 * rams and ewes receive a third and final mark, but the 

 " slightest blemish is sufficient to cause the rejection of the 

 " animal." These sheep are bred and valued almost ex- 

 clusively for the fineness of their wool ; and the result 

 corresponds with the labour bestowed on their selection. 

 Instruments have been invented to measure accurately the 

 thickness of the fibres ; and " an Austrian fleece has been 

 produced of which twelve hairs equalled in thickness one 

 from a Leicester sheep." 



Throughout the world, wherever silk is produced, the 

 greatest care is bestowed on selecting the cocoons from which 

 the moths for breeding are to be reared. A careful cultivator^'* 

 likewise examines the moths themselves, and destroys those 

 that are not perfect. But what more immediately concerns 

 us is that certain families in France devote themselves to 

 raising eggs for sale.^^ In China, near Shanghai, the in- 

 habitants of two small districts have the privilege of raising 

 eggs for the whole surrounding country, and that they may 

 give up their whole time to this business, they are interdicted 

 by law from producing silk.^^ 



The care which successful breeders take in matching their 

 birds is surprising. Sir John Sebright, whose fame is per- 

 petuated by the " Sebright Bantam," used to spend " two and 

 three days in examining, consulting, and disputing with a 

 friend which were the best of five or six birds." ^^ Mr. Bult, 

 whose pouter-pigeons won so many prizes, and were exported 

 to North America under the charge of a man sent on purpose, 



" Robinet, ' Vers a Soie,' 1848, p. " M. Simon, in < Bull, de la Soc. 



271. d'Acclimat.,' torn, ix., 1862, p. 221. 



" Quatrefages, ' Les Maladies du ^^ ' The Poultry Chronicle,' vol. i., 



Ver k Soie,' 1859, p. 101. 1854, p. 607. 



30 



