96 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



give either series of organs, be cites among- otlier instances tlie 

 account of the Ancon sheep. " When both parents are of the 

 Ancon or Otter breed, their descendants inherit their peculiar ap- 

 pearance and proportions of form. When an Ancon ewe is impreg- 

 nated by a common ram, the progeny resembles wholly either the 

 ewe or the ram. The progeny of a common ewe impregnated by 

 an Ancon ram follows entirely in shape the one or the other with- 

 out blending any of the distinguishing and essential peculiarities 

 ofboth. 



' Frequent instances have occurred where common ewes have 

 had twins by Ancon rams ; when one exhibited the complete marks 

 and features of the ewe and the other of the ram. The contrast 

 has been rendered singularly striking when one short legged and 

 one long legged lamb produced at a birth have been sucking the 

 dam at the same time.' 



As the short and crooked legs or those of opposite form, here 

 indicate the parent giving the locomotive system, it is evident that 

 one of the twins derived it from one parent and the other twin 

 from the other parent ; — the parent not giving it, doubtless commu- 

 nicating in each case, the vital or nutritive system." 



Where the parents are of different varieties or species, Mr. 

 Walker says, "The second law, namely, that of crossing, operates 

 where each parent is of a different breed, and where, supposing both 

 to be of equal age and vigor, the male gives the hackhead and loco- 

 motive organs, and the female the face and nuirilive organs.^' 



After giving numerous illustrations from facts and many quota- 

 tions from eminent breeders, he says, "thus, in crosses of cattle as 

 well as of horses, the male, except where feebler or of inferior vol- 

 untary and locomotive power, gives the locomotive system, the 

 female the vital one." 



W. C, Spooner, V. S., one of the most eminent authorities of the 

 present day on this subject, and writing within the past year in 

 the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society, says: — "The most 

 probable supposition is, that propagation is done by halves, each 

 parent giving to the oflspring the shape of one half of the body. 

 Thus the back, loins, hind-quarters, general shape, skin and size 

 follow one parent ; and the fore-quarters, head, vital and nervous 

 system, the other ; and we may go so far as to add, that the former 

 in the great majority of cases go with the male parent, and the 

 latter with the female. A corroboration of this fact is found in the 

 common system of putting an ordinary mare to a thorough-bred 



