86 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



cited from the Arabs, and other vague experience, to show 

 the truth of this opinion. I entirely dissent from this view. 

 This is a theory contradicted by all true observation and ex- 

 perience. It is not the theory of the Arabs, either : it is part 

 of that vast amount of theorizing done in the all-pervading 

 stallion interest. A ready belief has been accorded to it, 

 because in our way of breeding, the male is the selected par- 

 ent, and usually of a higher lineage than the dam ; but, other 

 things being equal, the mare is the parent whose impress is 

 most to be seen in the foal. Why should not tliis be so? 

 She is the equal of the male in every equine quality, and per- 

 haps surpasses him in endurance. She concentrates herself 

 upon one, and carries it in her body, nourished from her own 

 heart's blood, sharing all her moods, and its temper varied by 

 her experiences ; while the sire may quicken the germ of 

 two hundred foals in the same season, as careless of them all 

 as the knight of old, 



" Who loved, and who rode away." 



The idea that the Arabs trace all excellence through the 

 male line is derived entirely from the testimony of Abd-el- 

 Kader, who wrote a notable letter to Gen. Daumas, in which 

 he asserts that " the bones, tendons, nerves, and venous sys- 

 tem proceed from the sire." He also concludes that the moral 

 qualities have their origin in the sire, and that really the dam 

 does little more than to give color and some resemblance to 

 her own form. This is the opinion of a very eminent man, and 

 a first-rate Arabian horseman ; but perhaps, if we could bring 

 together as many Arabs as there are American horsemen in 

 this assembly, we would find as much difference of opinion 

 as we are sure to find here. 



Arabian testimony is based upon cloudy tradition or indi- 

 vidual experience ; but English and American thorough-breed- 

 ing has a history and carefully-recorded observation which 

 contradict the Arab chieftain, and bring proofs against him. 

 In English and American thorough-breeding the dams 

 are the equals of the sires in lineage, and often in perform- 

 ance ; and it is so well settled that the dam must be of equal 

 blood and quality with the sire, that no one would think of 

 disputing it. The stud-book is rich with the names of illus- 

 trious mares that have bred winners to half a dozen different 



