THE HORSE BREEDING. 555 



offspring of the grandfather and grandmother on both sides ; in 

 fact, this dependence of offspring, or liability to reproduce family 

 characteristics, extends much further up the ancestral line." 

 Hence, there can be no progress in the science of breeding until 

 we have means of knowing the characteristics of families we in- 

 tend to cross or to use in the breeding lots. This principle calls 

 for herd-books and stock records, thoroughly and honestly edited. 

 The value of pedigreed animals from families of long lines of 

 ancestry distinguished for excellence must be enhanced as years 

 of testimony accumulate. 



The Influence of Previous Impregnation. Professor 

 Miles says: "The influence of the male in the process of pro- 

 creation is not limited to his immediate offspring, but extends 

 also through the female that he has impregnated to her offspring 

 by another male." The writer has examined the views of Ag- 

 gasiz, Darwin, Carpenter, Law, and others, and he finds difficul- 

 ties in accepting in full the principle announced and sustained 

 by a long line of very pertinent examples. The belief is com- 

 mon among old and observing breeders of cattle, swine, and 

 chickens. If further discussion of the principle or theory is 

 desired, it can be found in the writings of any of the authori- 

 ties named. 



There is enough known of the theory to make the careful 

 breeder exceedingly cautious as to the kind of a sire he allows 

 to cross for the first time one of his pure bred females. In the 

 chicken yards there are many examples showing the influence 

 of first impregnation. Mr. Wright, after a large experience and 

 extended investigation, says : " At all events, * * * we 

 would never on any account allow any valued hens to mate 

 with another breed." Agassiz says : " I have satisfied myself 

 by numerous experiments that the act of fecundation is not an 

 act limited in its effect, but is an act which affects the whole 

 system, the sexual system especially, and in the sexual system 

 the ovary to be impregnated hereafter is so modified by the 

 first act that later impregnations do not efface that impression." 



When such high authorities express so positively the power 

 of first impregnation, it becomes the true student of the science 



