00 [Assembly 



bers bred from this one pair in the space of thirtj'-one years. The 

 imported couple were bred together till the spring of 1830, when 

 the gander was killed by an accident. Since then the goose has 

 been bred with her offspring, till her loss by an attack of dogs on 

 Col. J.'s poultry -yard in the spring of 1852. Of course the pro- 

 geny have been bred for the most part directly in-and-in, and yet 

 no perceptible deterioration has occurred. In Col. J. 's hands they 

 have always been very prolific, have not decreased in size, bat in 

 some late instances have exceeded the weight of the original pair, 

 and have in fact been in all respects so superior as to attract gene- 

 ral attention. 



Two similar cases might be cited in reference to wild or Cana- 

 dian geese. Col. Jaques procured a pair from Canada in 1818, 

 and continued to breed from this stock without change, till all 

 those in his possession were destroyed by the attack of dogs be- 

 fore mentioned. Tlie gander originally brought from Canada, 

 died from some cause not known, in the winter of 1851-2. 



The Shakers at New Lebanon, N". Y., have had a stock of the 

 same species twenty-seven years. The originals were a single 

 pair which belonged to the same brood, consequently the whole 

 stock must have been bred strictly in-and-in to the present time. 

 They still breed as well and are as perfect as at first. 



The fact seems to be that animals in a state of nature do not 

 suffer from in-and-in breeding, or at least they are less likely to 

 suffer from that course than those far removed from their natural 

 condition. One reason of this probably is, tliat their organization 

 is more perfect, and tliat they are generally free from diseases or 

 defects, and consequently their progeny can inherit none. Again, 

 we know that with animals in a domestic state, almost everything 

 depends on the selection of animals suitable to breed from. Se- 

 bright has well observed that the circumstances in wiiich wild 

 animals are placed, '' produce all the advantages of the most skil- 

 ful selection. The greatest number of females will of course fall 

 to the share of the most vigorous males ; and the strongest in- 

 dividuals of both sexes, by driving away the weakest will enjoy 

 the best food and most favorable situations for themselves and 

 their offspring. A severe winter or a scarcity of food destroys 



