140 THE PERFECT HORSE. 



Not only the bone-structure, the muscular tissues, the 

 arterial and venous system, and the measure of bodily 

 growth, are decided by the mother's constitutional 

 powers and condition, but the very nerve-structure and 

 brain-force receive from her tone and quality. The foal 

 may be pictured as lying at her mercy, dominated by 

 the sweet tyranny of nature. When thinking of these 

 things, I cease to wonder that many of the most famous 

 horses, both of the past and present time, closely re- 

 semble their dams. Dexter takes his look from his 

 mother, the daughter of American Star, who was sired 

 by the thorough-bred running-horse, Henry. Neither 

 in body, limbs, head, nor temperament, does he bear any 

 likeness to his sire, Rysdyk's Hambletonian. The same 

 may be said of Goldsmith's Maid, Lady Thorne, Major 

 Winfield, and others of almost equal celebrity. They are 

 all mother's children, as we should say in respect to mem- 

 bers of the human family. Every breeder has observed 

 this peculiarity. I have a filly in my stables, sired by a 

 horse of high breeding and great vitality, to whom, 

 nevertheless, she does not bear the least resemblance, but. 

 is a facsimile of the dam. Color, size, shape, style of 

 going, expression of the countenance, even the way in 

 which she eats her oats, or neighs before they are given 

 her, — in all these things she is the dam over again. 

 But, where the facts are admitted, an allusion to them is 

 sufficient ; and he who considers the facts must wonder 

 that the dam's influence on the foal has been and is still 

 regarded by many breeders as comparatively insignifi- 



