C ^7 ] 



with the propenfity to fatten eafily. Had it 

 chanced that equal pains had been beftowed 

 upon fele6ling from another good breed that was 

 differently fliaped, the prejudice would have been 

 equally ftrong in favour of that fliape. But as the 

 breeds that have been hitherto the obje£t of fe- 

 le£lion, have got the ftart of all others in point of 

 improvement, it is probable the prejudice in fa- 

 vour of their (hape may long continue to prevail 5 

 nor do I wifli it to be underftood that I have any 

 prejudice againft the fhapes recommended. Far 

 from it, for I think them very beautiful — I only 

 wifh to fay, that that circumftance is not ejjentially 

 connected with the other; for as every error, 

 when admitted as a truth, leads to unforefeen, and 

 often pernicious confequences, though the opi- 

 nion objected to may not be of much confe- 

 quence in the particular inftance now under con- 

 fidcration, its influence may be very unfavourable 

 in regard to others. Allow me to add one further 

 illuftration on this head, before I put an end to 

 this long paper. 



If it be admitted, that a faculty of fattening 

 eafily be neceflarily connected with certain pecu- 

 liarities of fliape, merely becaufe it chances acci- 

 dentally, as I will fay, that thefe two peculiarities 

 happen to be united in that breed of animals 

 which has been brought forward to notice; we 

 ought, by the fame mode of reafoning, to infer, 



that 



