SOME TERMS USED IN LIVE-STOCK BREEDING 273 



to illustrate atavism. The term reversion refers to a resem- 

 blance of the offspring to rather recent ancestors. A very 

 striking case of atavism, and one hard to explain, is often 

 called a "sport"; for example, a calf white in color was born 

 of pure-bred Galloway parents at Brookside Farm, Fort 

 Wayne, Ind. Since Galloways have shown no other color 

 than black for centuries, this was a most extraordinary 

 event. 



Variation. — It is impossible for the offspring to be like both 

 parents. It will have some of the characteristics of both, but 

 will be more or less unlike either. This varying from the 

 characteristics of the parents is called variation. It is well 

 understood by stockmen that no two animals are exactly 

 alike. Because of these variations it is possible for the stock- 

 man to make selections for improving his animals. 



Correlation. — When the body is grea,tly developed in 

 some particular part, some other part will be less developed 

 than it should be, or else be modified in some way. As swine 

 have increased their tendency to become fat the nose has 

 become shorter. The dairy cow giving larger quantities of 

 milk is always lean. The draft horse with his large muscles 

 and strong bones is always slow in moving. All these are 

 examples of correlation. The student desiring to know more 

 about the principles of breeding should consult books written 

 especially on the subject. It is a most interesting study. 



