PEDIGREE. 341 



eluded in it, would therefore seem to be a matter of 

 real importance. 



As there are many animals of the same name re- 

 corded in the herd-books, the recorded number, which 

 becomes a part of the name itself, must be given in 

 the pedigree as the only means of identification. 



As animals may be descended in one or more lines 

 from a given herd, and still have an infusion of blood 

 from other sources that may be objectionable, a pedi- 

 gree should not end in a general clause indicating 

 descent from a specified herd or importation, without 

 giving in full the name and number of each animal in 

 every line of descent. 



A pedigree tracing all lines of descent from ani- 

 mals bred by men who were known as breeders of 

 pure-bred animals at the time the first records were 

 made must, however, be accepted as complete, as all 

 recorded pedigrees have a similar basis. 



After examining a pedigree with reference to its 

 authenticity and completeness, the characteristics of 

 the individuals included in each line of descent, and 

 of the families which they represent, should be care- 

 fully considered. 



If all the ancestors of an animal have been remark- 

 able for their good qualities, and their conformity to 

 the same general type of excellence, and for their 

 freedom from serious defects, its inherited peculiari- 

 ties will be valued not only for the merits it may be 

 expected to possess as an individual, but for the cer- 

 tainty with which the dominant characters of the 

 family will be transmitted to its offspring. If, on the 

 other hand, the ancestors present great variations of 



