246 The Descent of Matt. Tabt 11. 



are closely like those which occur with mankind, when a small and 

 thinly-populated area is considered; thus in 1856 the male horses were 

 as 107*1, and in 1867 as only 926 to 100 females. In the tabulated 

 returns the proportions vary iu cycles, for the males exceeded the 

 females during six successive years ; and the females exceeded the 

 males during two periods each of four years : this, however, may be 

 accidental; at least I can detect nothing of the kind with man in the 

 decennial table in the Registrar's Report for 1866. 



Dogs. — During a period of twelve years, from 1857 to 1868, the births 

 of a large number of greyhounds, throughout England, were sent to 

 the ' Field' newspaper ; and I am again indebted to Mr. Tegetmeier for 

 carefully tabulating the results. The recorded births were 6878, 

 consisting of 3605 males and 3273 females, that is, in the proportion of 

 HOT males to 100 females. The greatest fluctuations occurred in 

 1864, when the proportion was as 95*3 males, and in 1867, as 1163 

 males to 100 females. The above average proportion of 110*1 to 100 is 

 probably nearly correct in the case of the greyhound, but whether it 

 would hold with other domesticated breeds is in some degree doubtful. 

 Mr. Cupples has enquired from several great breeders of dogs, and finds 

 that all without exception believe that females are produced in excess; 

 but he suggests that this belief may have arisen from females being 

 less valued, and from the consequent disappointment producing a 

 stronger impression on the mind. 



Sheep. — The sexes of sheep are not ascertaimd by agriculturists until 

 several months after birth, at the period when the males are castrated: 

 so that the following returns do not give the proportions at birth. 

 Moreover, I find that several great breeders in Scotland, who annually 

 raise some thousand sheep, are firmly convinced that a larger proportion 

 of males than of females die during the first year or two. Therefore the 

 proportion of males would be somewhat larger at birth than at the age of 

 castration. This is a remarkable coincidence with what, as we have 

 seen, occurs with mankind, and both cases probably depend on the 

 same cause. I have received returns from four gentlemen in England 

 who have bred Lowland sheep, chiefly Leicesters, during the last ten to 

 sixteen years; they amount altogether to 8£65 births, consisting of 

 4407 males and 4558 females; that is in the proportion of 96 7 males to 

 100 females. With respect to Cheviot and black-faced sheep bred in 

 Scotland, 1 have received returns from six breeders, two of them on a 

 large scale, chiefly for the years 1867-1869, but some of the returns 

 extend back to 1862. The total number recorded amounts to 50,685, 

 consisting of 25,071 males and 25,614 females, or in the proportion of 

 97.9 males to 100 females. If we take the English and Scotch returns 

 together, the total number amounts to 59,650, consisting of 29,478 

 males and 30,172 females, or as 97'7 to 100. So that with sheep at th« 

 age of castration the females are certainly in excess of the males, but 

 probably this would not hold good at hirth. 59 



Of Cattle I have received, returns from nine gentlemen of 982 births, 

 too few to be trusted ; these consisted of 477 bull-calves and 505 cow- 



59 I am much indebted to Mr. tion to the premature deaths of the 



Cupples for having procured for me males, — a statement subsequently 



the above returns from Scotland, as confh-med by Mr. Aitchison and 



well as some of the following re- others. To this latter gentleman, 



turns on cattle. Mr. R. Elliot of and to Mr. Payan, I owe my thanks 



Laighwood, first called my atten- for large returns as to sheep. 



