140 INBREEDING AND OUTBREEDING 



breeding was commenced. If undesirable characters are 

 shown after inbreeding, it is only because they already 

 existed in the stock and were able to persist for genera- 

 tions under the protection of more favorable characters 

 which dominated them and kept them from sight. The 

 powerful hand of natural selection was thus stayed until 

 inbreeding tore aside the mask and the unfavorable char- 

 acters were shown up in all their weakness, to stand or 

 fall on their own merits. 



If evil is brought to light, inbreeding is no more to be 

 blamed than the detective who unearths a crime. Instead 

 of being condemned it should be commended. After con- 

 tinued inbreeding a cross-bred stock has been purified and 

 rid of abnormalities, monstrosities, and serious weak- 

 nesses of all kinds. Only those characters can remain 

 which either are favorable or at least are not definitely 

 harmful to the organism. Those characters which have 

 survived this "day of judgment" can now be estimated 

 according to their true worth. As we shall see later 

 vigor can be immediately regained by crossing. Not only 

 is the full vigor of the original stock restored, but it may 

 even be increased, due to the elimination of many unfav- 

 orable characters. If this increased vigor can be utilized 

 in the first generation, or if it can be fixed so that it is 

 not lost in succeeding generations, then inbreeding is not 

 only not injurious but is highly beneficial. As an actual 

 means of plant and animal improvement, therefore, it 

 should be given its rightful valuation. 



