26 THE FORM OF ANIMALS. 



This nj'ay he illustrated in the breeding of horned axii- 

 mals; among which there are many varieties of sheep, 

 and some of cattle, that are hornless. 



If a hornless ram be put to a horned ewe, almost all 

 the lambs will be hornless ; partaking of the character 

 of the male rather than of the female parent. 



In some countries, as Norfolk, Wiltshire, Dorsetshire, 

 most of the sheep have horns. In Norfolk the horns 

 may be got rid of by crossing with the Ryeland rams ; 

 which would also improve the form of the chest and the 

 quality of the wool. In Wiltshire and Dorsetshire, the 

 same improvements might be made by crossing the sheep 

 with South Down rams. 



An offspring without horns might be obtained from the 

 Devonshire cattle, by crossing with hornless bulls of the 

 Galloway breed ; which would also improve the form of 

 the chest, in which, the Devonshire cattle are often de- 

 ficient. 



Examples of the good effects of crossing the breeds. 



The great improvement of the breed of horses in Eng- 

 land arose from crossing with those diminutive Stallions, 

 Barbs, and Arabians ; and the introduction of Flanders 

 mares into this country was the source of improvement 

 in the breed of cart-horses. 



The form of the swine has also been greatly improved, 

 by crossing with the small Chinese boar. 



Examples of the had effects of crossing the breeds. 

 When it became the fashion in London to drive large 

 bay horses, the farmers in Yorkshire put their mares to 



nal form antl colour 1 It may be a reason why some of our very popu- 

 lar stallions, being overtasked, have had so few of their get to rival them 

 jn power and fame. Every reader may cast about for himself, for in- 

 Btances, to see how far and to y:hat other animals the principle applies. 

 After all, in an economico-agricultural view, it is much more important 

 ihat the stallion should be all right because it is his bleod that '5 to be 

 dillused far and wide. — J. S. y.] 



