Transmission of Characters 153 



tryman and stock owner depend for the perpetu- 

 ation of species, breeds and varieties. In this 

 principle is recognized the law which, within cer- 

 tain limits, makes offspring like their parents. The 

 development of this theory no doubt came from a 

 close observation of domesticated animals. Had 

 only wild animals been observed, it is likely that 

 the similarity of offspring to parents would have 



FIG. 55. Breeding and exhibition house and runs Rhode Island 

 Agricultural College. 



been taken as a matter of course, and what is 

 now known as the law of heredity would have 

 been studied comparatively little. 



Poultry-breeders recognize the law that off- 

 spring resemble their parents within certain limits, 

 and depend upon this law more than upon any 

 other as the foundation upon which the improve- 

 ment by breeding depends. If it were not for the law 

 of heredity, selection would be practically of no 

 value. If strong, hearty r vigorous parents, which 



