344 THE MULES. 



lar state of organic inability ; but it is in forming 

 cross breeds between positively osculating species, 

 such as the South African, particularly the quagga 

 and the two or three dauws, all homogeneous in 

 most respects, that an improved Austral horse may 

 be attainable, one that would be more durable, more 

 serviceable, more easily kept, cheaper, and less 

 liable to disease in the southern hemisphere than 

 any of the races introduced from the north. 



In hybrids, it is true, deterioration may be at 

 first in some measure expected, but after the second 

 and third generation, with well selected animals of 

 unadulterated blood, Nature recovers from the dis- 

 turbing effects, and assuming characteristics of sta- 

 bility without loss of a great part of the required 

 qualities brought in by the mule hybrid, is again 

 prepared for a further infusion of them by a fresh 

 cross, until the desired point is obtained, and stature, 

 form, colour, or marks are produced equal to the 

 proposed intention in a number of individuals suffi- 

 ciently large to prevent decrease or decay in the 

 progenitive powers. These inferences rest upon the 

 case of the hybrid wolves of Buffon continuing to 

 breed among themselves, though they were under 

 circumstances of restraint, neglected, and insuffi- 

 ciently numerous or aided by recrossings from either 

 side of their parentage ; causes in themselves suffi- 

 cient to produce a gradual sterility. 



The common mule is the offspring of a male ass 

 and a mare; familiar to every reader. This kind 

 of animal was already abundant in Palestine at the 



