£73. on Ditrieties of domestic animals: 239 
If this were once done, it would not be a matter 
of very great difficulty, to judge with a probable 
degree of certainty, of the means of producing a 
mongrel breed that fhould tend to augment the pecu- 
liar qualities that were wanted at the time*. 
And if both these improvements were effected, the 
ultimate degree of perfection in any one respect can 
* It has been often afserted with great positivenefs, and ‘is very 
generally believed, that an infertile breed of animals produced be- 
tween two distinct speties of animals, as the mule procreated be- 
tween the horse and the afs, or the jumarre between the cat- 
tle tribe and the horse, pofsefs qualities that render them much more 
valuable than either of the parents by themselves; certain qualities in- 
deed that seem to be sui generis, and not mereiy a compound of those 
‘of the two parent animals. I pretend not to say that this is certain, 
but if it be, it may afford reason to believe that mongrels, producéd 
between two varieties of the same species, may in some respects pof- 
sefs not only the compounded qualities resulting from a mixture of the 
two, but some other peculiarities superadded, that may render them 
still more serviceable to man. 
In confirmation of this opinion, I have, since the above was written, 
met with the following remark, in a book entitled a general view of 
the agriculture of the county of Middlesex, drawn up by Thomas Baird, 
for the consideration of the board of agriculture and internal improve- 
ment. ” Speaking of the improvements by the celebrated Mr John 
Hunter at Earls court, in the parifh of Kinsington, he says p. 42. 
“ This gentleman has at present a very beautiful little cow froma 
Bufaloe and an Alderny cow. This animalis in some measure kept 
for her beauty: and what adds toit, /be is always plump and fat, 
avhether in summer or winter, and upon much lefs food than would 
be sufficiect to support a beaft of the same sixe of the ordinary breed. 
I do not find that fhe exceeds in quantity of milk, but the quality is 
very good, andit is certain fhe tan be emi at much lefs enemies 
than an ordinary cow of the same sixe.” 
Ifthis thould be a general rule, and not a particular exception to 
it, it would be a very beneficial improvement indeed, Farther ex+ 
periments must ascertain this point. 
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