THE MULES. 341 



Lake Aral is at least believed to be recent and un- 

 aided : nor is the influence of man the only remain- 

 ing agent in the operation of modifications. We 

 believe it at present perceptible in a species of goat 

 known as the wild cegagrus^ which is occasionally 

 found in the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Caucasus, and 

 the mountains of Bootan, in all appearing to be a 

 prolific hybrid between the domestic goat, of what- 

 ever origin or country it may be derived, and the 

 local wild capra of the region, wliether it be ibex, 

 caucasica, or any other. Besides, if there be not 

 already in South Africa, similarly to what we con- 

 tend occurred in Asia, one or more modifications 

 intermediate between the zebra and quagga, totally 

 independent of the intervention of man, we may at 

 least point out the probabilities of what might be 

 effected by a well ordered system of cross breeding 

 with the same species and their actual osculants, 

 and what might be the results after repeatedly in- 

 fusing the blood of one desirable form to modify 

 and perfect another. 



There are as yet so few carefully conducted expe- 

 riments of this class, and there is so evident an 

 unwillingness in practical men to encounter new 

 combinations where certain profit is not immedi- 

 ately demonstrable, that the immense latent power 

 of sympathy between the foetus and the mother of 

 the more highly organised domestic animals is, 

 among other subjects, well worthy investigation ; 

 since the influence exercised upon what is called 

 natural education is not only acknowledged, but in 



