1846.] Principles of Breeding. 117 



seen (to use a paradox) a white black-bird. Changes of form 

 and habits are likewise met with which are equally striking. 

 Animals which exhibit such deviations from the general chai'ac- 

 teristics of the race to which they belong, may be deemed mon- 

 strosities; but if it is wished to perpetuate their singular qualities, 

 it is obviously necessary to adhere as closely as practicable in 

 breeding, to the strain of blood in which these qualities are mani- 

 fested. If, instead of this, the animals are allowed to breed with 

 those which do not possess the desired peculiarity, the new traits, 

 having no fixed hold on the blood are soon mingled and lost in 

 the general current of the race which runs in a difi'erent direction. 



Thus, where an extraordinary disposition to secrete fat is exhi- 

 bited by a particular cow and her progeny, it may become ne- 

 cessaiy in order to secure that quality and increase the number of 

 animals possessing it, to breed from near affinities. But much 

 will depend on the skill used in selecting the animals to breed 

 together, and only experience and the closest observation, aided 

 by good judgment, can guide to successful results. 



We would not, however, advise breeding from near affinities, 

 except so far as may be necessary to fix some valuable quality' not 

 belonsrino; to the race in General. Where no superiority is exhi- 

 bited in a particular family, or where the individuals composing 

 a race are nearly similar, we can see no advantage in resorting to 

 the system. 



In regard to the supposed necessity of crossing breeds, there are 

 certain vague theories which we would by no means countenance. 

 Some appear to imagine that breeds of animals can not be con- 

 tinued pure without deterioriation. This notion leads those who 

 entertain it, to make various mixtures in breeding:, in the hope 

 either of avoidinor degeneracy or creatino- improvement. We be- 

 lieve that the idea is not only unsound, but that, if it were car- 

 ried out in practice, it would be productive of incalculable injury, 

 by destroying the important distinctions which naturally exist 

 araon<T animals, and by which different species and breeds are ad- 

 mirably adapted to different locations and purposes. 



No degeneracy is observable in animals in a state of natui'e. 

 Araonj the various wild races (though as has been stated, some 

 occasional chanq;es occur.) the principal characteristics are con- 

 tinued from generation to gjeneration. There is no evidence that 

 wild geese or wild ducks degenerate; and no person can reasona- 

 bly believe that the buffaloes of our western prairies need crossing, 

 or that they could be improved for the situation they occupy by 

 any foreign mixture. The same remark will probably apply to 



cinitv. Tt is «ail to h^ve hslonsred to a hniod of four, two of which were 

 black, and two entirely white, except a dark tinge towards the tips of the 

 wiugs. They were nearly or quite full grown. Their parents were black. 



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