1793: on varieties of domestic animals. E55 
of two pure varieties of animals have bcen preserv- 
ed since the creation of the world till the present 
hour, distinct from all others of the same kind, and 
uncontaminated in a wild state, merely by the pe-~ 
culiar instincts with which they are naturally en- 
dowed. These are the wolf and the fox, which 
though ranked by Buffon, and most other natura~ 
lists, as distinct species, are now proved, by the most 
decisive experiments, conducted under the eye of the 
ingenious Mr John Huater of London, to be only 
varieties of the dog kind, which may be brought to 
intercopulate with others of the same species, and 
by that means produce a mongrel breed, participating 
as usual of the qualities of both parents, and equal- 
ly prolific as others of the same kind.* 
In regard to fheep, the varieties of this useful 
clafs of animals seem to be considerable, and theic 
natural propensities so discriminated as to be admi- 
tably calculated for adapting them to different situ- 
ations on this globe, so as to make them a very Us 
niversal inhabitant of it: and these are so diversi- 
fied as to habits and imstincts, as to preserve the 
principal breeds very distinct, if left in a state of 
mature. The argali, strong, active, nimble, de- 
lights to live among rocks and inaccefsible places ; 
while the large sluggifh breed of fheep, such as those 
* Vide Philosophical Transactions, Anno, 1792, and miscellaneous 
efsays by Mr John Hunter, 4to 1793. London. The same able natu- 
ralist has obtained a prolific breed between the common cow and 
buffalo; which affords another proof of the fact specified in the text, 
This will be more particularly mentioned in a future paper. 
- 
