THE ROAN ANTELOPE 



The study of the variation of species under 

 domestication has long afforded instruction, not 

 only to the evolutionist and the scientific naturalist, 

 but also to the practical breeder of animals. The 

 numerous and widely-differing types of dog and 

 horse, sheep and pig, cat and rabbit, exhibit a 

 marvellous plasticity of constitution under the 

 artificial influence of selective breeding. For 

 instance, few greater contrasts could be found in 

 external appearance than are seen in the outlines 

 of the long-legged, snipe-jawed greyhound, and 

 the sturdy bulldog ; in the heavy-footed Clydes- 

 dale and the slim racehorse ; or in the Manx tabby 

 and the long-haired Persian cat. These are only 

 a few instances amongst many illustrating the 

 facility with which the characters of domesticated 

 animals may be modified by the action of man. 



The variation of species in the wild state, 

 uninfluenced by human agency, is also a theme of 

 fascinating interest, and almost equally intricate : 

 the bewildered worker in every department of 

 zoology is as far off as ever from drawing the 

 line between a true species and a mere variety, 

 some naturalists assigning specific rank to 

 forms to which others would only allot varietal 



