No. 85.] 247 



spicuous with every generation, so long as the injudicious course is 

 followed, the stock degenerates and dwindles away to worthlessness, 

 perhaps, even before the sanguine, but dull-sighted owner is aware of 

 it. This consequence may perhaps follow sooner where stock is bred 

 from close affinities of blood, but if the selection of breeders is con- 

 fined to the progeny of only two or three animals, it is almost impos- 

 sible to avoid degeneracy. 



It is often remarked that high-bred animals, as they are called, (or 

 perhaps we should say high-bred fattening animals,) do not breed 

 readily. In animals of this character, a sort of artificial temperament 

 or constitution seems to take place — a change somewhat analogous to 

 that which not unfrequently occurs in plants. An extraordinary de- 

 velopment of one class of organs is frequently attended with a greater 

 or less defect in other organs. Strawberries and other fruits, of a 

 size much greater than is common with the species, are sometimes 

 produced. But they are generally much less prolific than other kinds 

 which show no extraordinary departure from the original or natural 

 characteristics of the race. The flowers of some plants by cultiva- 

 tion become double. In this case, the stamens, or one portion of the 

 procreative organs, are converted into petals — the plants become 

 monsters ; and are either totally barren or produce only a small quan- 

 tity of imperfect seed. So with certain animals, cultivation has par- 

 tially changed their constitution — their procreative faculties are weak- 

 ened — the energies of the organs of generation become as it were 

 swallowed up by the fat-secreting organs — and the animal is either 

 incapable of propagation, or begets only a feeble progeny.* 



The skillful breeder will be always on his guard against this de- 

 fect, or monstrosity — he will take care that no one property is culti- 

 vated to the sacrifice or injury of any other essential one — he will not 

 encourage the fat-forming organs to such a degree that the generating 

 organs of his animals become weakened, and consequently the consti- 

 tutions of their offspring impaired Vigorous and energetic animals 

 should always be chosen for propagation — and the ultimate success 

 of those breeders will be greatest, who pay due regard to the proper 

 balance of the animal system. 



In reply to an inquiry by Professor Emmons, "which of the parents 

 has most influence on the progeny ;" Mr. Howard said — that was a 

 question on which even " doctors disagree." Some few years ago, 

 the Rev. Henry Berry, of England, wrote a prize essay on this very 

 question, and the ground he took was, that where both parents are 

 equal in strength or purity of blood, the influence of each on the pro- 

 geny is equal. 



It is, however, reasonable to suppose, that in some respects this 

 influence of the parents cannot be equal ; and that the theory is well 

 founded that the coTi^^i^w^iowa/ qualities, ner-vous temperament, &c., 

 are more likly to resemble the dam, and the external qualities, such as 



♦ Barrenness of females seems in some cases to result from excessive venereal excite- 

 ment. Cases of this kind are entirely distinct, and are the result of a different cause from 

 the imbecility here aUuded to. 



