18 THE FORM OF ANIMALS. 



of an able, industrious, and tasteful advocate and illus« 

 trator of its advantages and uses, as long as W. T. Por- 

 ter shall continue to animate and guide the " Spirit of 

 THE Times." Extensive acquaintance and coextensive 

 popularity — the just fruits of accomplished manners and 

 an obliging temper — have made him the focus of a most 

 varied and recherche correspondence: while his own 

 tact, scholarship and nice appreciation of what is good 

 in the literary and the sporting world, enable him to turn 

 all his nch resources to the best account, for the enjoy- 

 ment of his numerous and refined readers — for the most 

 part, gentlemen of hlood and mettle. 



ON THE FORM OF ANIMALS, 



BY HENRY CLINE, ESQ. SURGEON. 

 WITH NOTES BY J. S. SKINNER. 



The form of domestic animals has been greatly im- 

 proved by selecting with much care, the best formed for 

 breeding — but the theory of improvement has not been 

 BO well understood, that rules could be laid down for 

 directing the practice. There is one point particularly, 

 respecting which the opinions of breeders have much 

 varied, which is, whether crossing the breed be essential 

 to improvement. 



It is the intention of this communication to ascertain 

 in what instances crossing is proper, and in what pre- 

 judicial ; and the principles upon which the propriety 

 of it depends. 



It has been generally supposed that the breed of ani- 

 mals is improved by the largest males. This opinion 

 has done considerable mischief, and would have done 

 more injury had it not been counteracted by the c^.esire 

 of selecting animals of the best form and proportions, 

 which are rarely to be met with, in those of the largest size 



