222 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



In breeding thorough bred cows, some writers contend that if 

 the heifer be first bred to an inferior bull, not only her first calf will 

 resemble him, but her succeeding calves will resemble him also, 

 whatever may be the qualities of their own sires. This supposi- 

 tion is based on the principle that the heifer's first impression of 

 the bull at coition, are so strong as not to be effaced, and that 

 her imagination at the time continued to influence her future 

 progeny. It is possible that such may have been the fact in 

 some peculiar cases; but they have been very uncommon. "We 

 have known many instances of cows with their first calves being 

 bred to bad bulls, but no known bad result has followed her suc- 

 ceeding progeny. It is well, however, to say that none but the 

 best bulls should always be used, and any inferiority of blood in 

 them strictly avoided. 



In a pamphlet entitled, "On a Remarkable Effect of Cross- 

 Breeding: by Alex. Harvey, M. D., Physician and Lecturer in 

 the Royal Infirmary, at Aberdeen, Scotland; printed in 1851," 

 a work of considerable research, are found, aside from much 

 philosophy, and some speculation, some striking facts. We have 

 heard some of the facts before ; but as they are important in their 

 bearing in the case of cows in connection with breeding, although 

 of considerable length, we quote them for the study of those who 

 choose to look deeper into the subject than a casual, or slight 

 observation will admit. 



There are some rather fine-spun theories suggested, which 

 actual investigation will not corroborate, but we give the matter 

 as written by its author: 



" There is a circumstance connected with the process of breed- 

 ing in the higher classes of animals, which seems to me to merit 

 a larger share, than it has yet received, of the attention of the 

 Agricultural body. It is this: that a male animal, that has 

 once had fruitful connection with a female, may so influence her 

 future offspring begotten by other males, as, to a greater or less 



