232 SELECTION. Chap. XXI. 



destruction is comparatively sudden, is often recorded, and 

 when too late sometimes regretted. 



Several authors have drawn a wide distinction between 

 artificial and natural races. The latter are more uniform in 

 character, possessing in a high degree the appearance of 

 natural species, and are of ancient origin. They are generally 

 found in less civilised countries, and have probably been 

 largely modified by natural selection, and only to a small 

 extent by man's unconscious and methodical selection. They 

 have, also, during a long period, been directly acted on by 

 the physical conditions of the countries which they inhabit. 

 The so-called artificial races, on the other hand, are not so 

 uniform in character ; some have a semi-monstrous character, 

 such as " the wry-legged terriers so useful in rabbit- shoot- 

 ing,""^ turnspit dogs, ancon sheep, niata oxen, Polish fowls, 

 fantail-pigeons, &c. ; their characteristic features have gene- 

 rally been acquired suddenly, though subsequently increased 

 by careful selections in many cases. Other races, which 

 certainly must be called artificial, for they have been largely 

 modified by methodical selection and by crossing, as the 

 English race-horse, terrier-dogs, the English game-cock, 

 Antwerp carrier-pigeons, &c., nevertheless cannot be said to 

 have an unnatural appearance ; and no distinct line, as it 

 seems to me, can be drawn between natural and artificial 

 races. 



It is not surprising that domestic races should generally 

 present a difi'erent aspect from natural species. Man selects 

 and propagates modifications solely for his own use or fancy, 

 and not for the creature's own good. His attention is struck 

 by strongly marked modifications, which have appeared 

 suddenly, due to some great disturbing cause in the organi- 

 sation. He attends almost exclusively to external characters ; 

 and when he succeeds in modifying internal organs, — when 

 for instance he reduces the bones and offal, or loads the viscera 

 with fat, or gives early maturity, &c., — the chances are 

 strong that he will at the same time weaken the constitution. 

 On the other hand, when an animal has to struggle through- 

 out its life with many competitois and enemies, under 

 ^' Blaine, ' Encyclop. of Rural Sports,' p, 213, 



