76 BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. 



Darwin in his " Orig-in of Species," says "the reproductive sys- 

 tem is eminently susceptible to changes in the conditions of life ; 

 and to this system being functionally disturbed in the parents I 

 chiefly attribute the varying or plastic condition of the offspring. 

 The male and female sexual elements seem to be affected before 

 that union takes place which is to form a new being. But why, 

 because the re-productive system is disturbed this or that part 

 should vary more or less, we are profoundly ignorant. Neverthe- 

 less we can here and there dimly catch a faint ray of light, and we 

 may feel sure that there must be some cause for each deviation of 

 structure however slight." 



It may be useless for us to speculate here upon the laws 

 which govern variations. The fact that these exist is what the 

 breeder has to deal with, and a most important one it is, for it is 

 this chiefly, which makes hereditary transmission the problem 

 which it is. His aim should ever be to grasp and render perma- 

 nent and increase so far as practicable, every variation for the better, 

 and to reject for breeding purposes such as show a downward ten- 

 dency. 



That this may be done, there is abundant proof in the success 

 which has in many instances attended the well directed efforts of 

 intelligent breeders, A remarkable instance is furnished in the 

 new Mauchamp-Merino sheep of Mons. Graux, which originated 

 in a single animal, a product of the law of variation, and which by 

 skillful breeding and selection has become an established breed of 

 a peculiar type and possessing valuable properties. Samples of 

 the wool of these sheep were shown at the great exhibition in Lon- 

 don, in 1851, and attracted much attention. It was also shown at 

 the great recent Agricultural Exhibition at Paris, A correspon- 

 dent of the Mark Lane Express, says : 



" One of the most interesting portions of the sheep-show is that, 

 of the Mauchamp variety of Merinos, having a new kind of wool, 

 glossy and silky, similar to mohair. This is an instance of an 

 entirely new breed being as it were created from a mere sport of 

 nature. It was originated by Mons. J. L. Graux. In the year 

 1828, a Merino ewe produced a peculiar ram lamb, having a different 

 shape from the usual Merino, and possessing a long, straight, and 

 silky character of wool. In 1830, M. Graux obtained by this ram 

 one ram and one ewe, iiaving the silky character of wool. In 

 1831, among the produce were four rams and one ewe with similar 



