SEX. 335 



The relations of the function of nutrition to that 

 of reproduction may perhaps explain some of the cases 

 that have been cited as evidence in favor of other 

 theories ; and it may be that the determination of sex 

 depends upon a number of conditions that are all inti- 

 mately connected with the function of nutrition. 



Another theory has been recently presented by Mr. 

 John R. Stuy vesant, of Poughkeepsie, New York, that 

 is evidently based upon two assumptions, viz. : first, 

 that the sex of the offspring depends entirely upon 

 the female ; and, second, that every alternate egg is of 

 the same sex. The cases given above are sufficient to 

 show that these assumptions are without foundation, 

 while the limited number of cases that have been pre- 

 sented as evidence of the value of the system cannot 

 be accepted as conclusive. Mr. Stuyvesant says : 

 " My plan is simply this : if a cow has produced for 

 her last calf a heifer, I do not allow her to be served 

 the first time she comes in season, but let her run 

 over until the second time, when she is served in the 

 first part of her heat, and is immediately shut up by 

 herself until it passes over. Should she not catch this 

 time, I let her run over heat number three and serve 

 her in heat number four, and so on until she finally 

 does catch. 



" If a cow has last produced a bull-calf, then, in 

 this case, I have her served the very first time she 

 comes around after calving, and shut her up by her- 

 self as in the' preceding case. Should she not catch 

 by this service, I ]et her run over the next, or season 

 number two, and serve her the next, or season number 

 three, etc., until she catches. My reasons for so doing 



