224 NATURAL SCIENCE. may. 



There is an interesting statement by Mr. John Baily to the effect 

 that white fowls have a tendency to yellowness in the fat. It may 

 be added that fowls of this hue are apt to be tanned or discoloured 

 by the sun. 



It is gratifying to notice a protest against the fifth toe, an 

 additional hallux, so characteristic of this breed. Easily perpetuated, 

 it is " an unquestionable deformity," and connected with disease of 

 the foot. 



With regard to Cochins, a breed which Mr. Tegetmeier is 

 inclined to think might have had an independent origin, they are 

 stated to have given the first strong impulse to the now prevalent 

 pursuit of poultry-keeping. A characteristic illustration allows us 

 to judge of the alteration wrought in the breed in the few decades 

 which have elapsed since its first exhibition in 1850 ; and progress is 

 easily seen to have been mainly in the direction of the production of 

 a mass of useless feather, especially on the shanks, where it is most 

 objectionable. On the other hand, the main economic fault of the 

 breed, its deficiency of flesh on the breast, correlated with the 

 extremely weak powers of flight, has not been corrected. It is very 

 properly pointed out that the extra feathering is merely so much food 

 wasted. 



Brahmas, which for practical purposes are stated to be identical 

 with Cochins, are likewise portrayed as they were and in the "im- 

 proved " form of to-day. Mr. Tegetmeier regards these as a manu- 

 factured breed. Mr. Lewis Wright has mentioned several interesting 

 points wherein they tend to resemble Gallus furcatus, though not 

 assigning them a direct descent from that species ; the single median 

 wattle having been found in at least one instance, and the non- 

 serrated comb, and greenish gloss on the plumage, having also 

 occurred in this variety. But such resemblances as these may be 

 doubtless set down to analogical variation ; just as, in the domestic 

 duck, about whose descent from the mallard there is no doubt, the 

 white on the tertiaries, characteristic of the Spotted Bill (Anas poecilo- 

 yhyncha) may be occasionally observed. 



It is curious that with Brahmas, as with several other varieties, 

 it is necessary to maintain two distinct breeding studs for show 

 birds, since equally perfect specimens of both sexes cannot be bred 

 by mating a cock and hen which satisfy exhibition requirements. 

 This, of course, does not increase the usefulness of the varieties in 

 question. 



Other Asiatic breeds of more recent introduction are next dealt 

 with. The Langstan, at first hardly differentiated from the Black 

 Cochin, has been bred larger-winged and closer-feathered than that 

 bird, besides having less feathering on the legs ; yet, as a table fowl, it 

 appears not to be of high quality. 



Plymouth Rocks are a good example of a new breed, produced 

 by crossing older varieties, a practice which the present system tends 

 to encourage. A new variety, it appears, can be bred tolerably true 

 to form and colour in three or four generations, and is then likely to 

 become the rage if sufficiently advertised. This has been the case 

 with the recently-invented Wyandotte breed, whose distinct mark- 

 ings, unfortunately, seem to be leading its adherents away from the 

 cultivation of its useful qualities. This, like most of the leading 

 breeds, has its club of admirers. 



Under the head of Malays, Indian game, and Aseels, are included 

 breeds of Eastern origin, characterised by very scanty combs and 



