46 THE CONDITION OF A STALLION. 



persons produced at one birlh usually beai a close resem 

 blance to each other, in all respects. 



It is known that ideal impressions on the femal 

 parent, subsequent to conception, frequently take per- 

 manent effect on the offspring. That such causes do not 

 usually give the leading characteristics to the progeny, 

 is evident from these considerations: 



1st. The consequences of such impressions on the 

 female, are usually somewhat of an unnatural or mon- 

 strous order, being different from the traits of either 

 parent, and from the common nature of the variety to 

 which the animals belong. 



2d. It is a settled point with breeders that the pro 

 geny is more strongly characterized by the traits of the 

 male, than by those of the female parent. This fact is 

 well known ; and indeed it can hardly be expected other- 

 wise than that the sex which bears so much the stronge. 

 impress of character, should impart the more visible re- 

 semblance to the offspring. 



3d. It is an ascertained law of Nature, that peculiar- 

 ities of climate, food, occupation and most other circum 

 stances affecting the well-being of an animal, produce in 

 its constitution a change such as is necessary for the wel- 

 fare of the species; and that this proceeds throughout 

 many generations, until the animal becomes completely 

 adapted to the circumstances of its existence. [The 

 same thing occurs in the vegetable kingdom.] 



This last consideration, of the gradually altered state 

 of an animal through successive generations, is a strong 

 instance of the effect of condition ; and it is by a regard 

 to this invariable law of Nature, of self-adaptation to cir- 

 cumstances, that the cultivation or improvement of any 

 oreea is to be effected. <' Hence the most acid and 

 worthless grape is by skilful culture rendered sweet and 

 iiscious , flowery without attraction are gradually nurtured 



