66 ANDREW JACKSON HOWE. 



is sterile, thus showing difference or variance in a de- 

 gree that interferes with reproduction. Even if the 

 female mule is not always sterile, the exceptions are 

 so rare that for all practical purposes the rule is 

 distinctive. Besides, the different species of the 

 equine family will not filiate in a feral state, but only 

 when tampered with by man. This natural and defi- 

 nite method of designating species is easily under- 

 stood, and generally adopted by scientists, yet Mr. 

 Darwin would unsettle old classifications and intro- 

 duce fanciful notions in the arrangement of species in 

 order to prepare the way for the adoption of his 

 transmutation views. By so doing he has introduced 

 confusion into biological studies, and gained nothing 

 of importance. When it suits Darwin's purpose he 

 creates species out of mere varieties, basing the affin- 

 ity upon resemblance or some fanciful feature having 

 no fundamental principle in it. Although a fruitful 

 union has been forced between sheep and goats, the 

 difference between these races in a natural state is 

 enough to keep them distinct. They never filiate 

 voluntarily. It is important to insist upon a distinct- 

 ive feature as characterizing species in order to pos- 

 sess a definite rule for gauging grades in the human 

 family. If the different races of mankind would not 

 filiate, or prove prolific in cross connections, then we 

 should have true species among us. But as all kinds 

 of intermarriages are fruitful there are only varieties 

 in the genus homo. No species, nor mongrels, nor 

 hybrids exist. 



Among the more plastic of domestic animals vari- 

 ation is cultivated to the fullest possible extent, the 

 limit of variability being reached only by refusal to- 

 be prolific. In an attempt to breed in a certain direc- 



