492 BRITISH HUSBANDRY. [Ch. XXXIX. 



Thus the graziers in tlie Isle of Sheppy at one time imagined they could 

 materially improve their Romney breed by the employment of large Lin- 

 colnshire rams ; the produce of which was, however, much inferior both in 

 the shape of the carcass as well as in the quality of the wool, and their 

 flocks were greatly injured by the attempt. 



" The proper method of improving the form of animals," as stated by the 

 late Mr. Cline, " consists in selecting a well-formed female proportionably 

 larger than the male. The improvement is on this principle — that the 

 power of the female to supply her oflspring with nourishment is in propor- 

 tion to her size, and to the power of her nourishing herself from the excel- 

 lence of her constitution. The size of tlie foetus is generally in proportion 

 to that of the male parents ; and, therefore, when the female is dispropor- 

 tionally small, the quantity of nourishment is deficient, and her offspring 

 has all the disproportions of a starveling. But when the female, from her 

 size and good constitution, is more than adequate to the nourishment of a 

 foetus of a smaller male than herself, the growth must be proportionally 

 greater. The larger female has also a greater quantity of milk, and her 

 offspring is more abundantly supplied with nourishment after birth." We 

 believe also, that any experienced breeder will admit that — " to produce 

 the most perfect formed animal, abundant nourishment is necessary from 

 the earliest period of its existence until its growth is complete." 



" The external form of domestic animals has been much studied, and 

 the proportions are well ascertained ; but the external form is an indication 

 only of internal structure. The principles of improvement must therefore 

 be founded upon a knowledge of the structure and use of the internal parts. 

 The lungs are of the first importance. It is on their size and soundness 

 that the strength and health of the animal principally depend; for the 

 power of converting food into nourishment is in proportion to tlieir size, 

 and therefore has a greater aptitude to fatten." 



On this Mr. Russell remarks — " Constitution, which embraces both 

 external and internal formation and structure, is the chief corner-stone 

 necessary to the production of a perfect animal. In the construction of a 

 good frame the following qualities should be combined : — a deep and wide 

 chest, which indicates a wide loin and hips, with ribs springing gradually 

 wider until they apj)roach nearer to the hip. The shoulder-blades should 

 project gradually wider until they approacli far towards the hind quarters, 

 which, oives more surface on the chine ; and this is considered an excellent 

 point in animals intended for slaughter, as it enables them to accumulate 

 more meat on that part where it is of the most value. The formation of 

 the Iun"S will also agree with the chest in size and shape," To which we 

 mav add, that the head should be small, both as facilitating the birth of 

 the" lamb, and being indicative of the animal being of a good breed; and 

 small limbs also indicate fattening qualities. 



It has been justly observed by the celebrated author, Mr. Cline, whom 

 we iiave just quoted — " That the pliancy of the animal economy is such, as 

 that an animal will gradually accommodate itself to great vicissitudes in 

 climate and alterations in food, and by degrees undergo great changes in 

 constitution ; but these changes can only be effected by degrees, and may 

 often require a great number of successive generations for their accomplish- 

 ment." 



" The size of animals is commonly adapted to the soil which they inhabit. 

 Where produce is nutritive and abundant lliey are large, having grown pro- 

 portionally to the quantity of food, which for generations they have been 

 accustomed to obtain. Where the produce is scanty, the animals are small, 



