BREEDING, A^D THE PRIKCIPLES OF THE SAMK 306 



reasons than one, such are unfit for breeding purposeSj unless, 

 however, the morbid phenornena be neutralized by blood, in one 

 of the parents, of a superior order, free from taint, as it ai>pears in 

 tlie other. 



Tn ray adventures in search of the beautiful, I should pasa by 

 all animals having any peculiarity of conformation, general or 

 local, which experience teaches me are sure to reappear either 

 directly or indirectly, in future progeny. This appears to be the 

 proper course to pursue; yet many, otherwise intelligent men will 

 invest their money in the purchase of defective animals, merely 

 because they can be bought cheap, when every body knows, or 

 ought to know, that cheap animals, like cheap watches, <ost more, 

 in the end, for repairs, etc., than a commodity of more real value. 

 The same rule applies to horses. Some men, if they happen to 

 be in possession of a broken-down mare, unable, from faults, (de- 

 fects, old age, and disease, to perform ordinary horse duties, com- 

 mence a speculation in a different enterprise. The reproductivt 

 organs must be exercised. Just at this time some ceut-and-dollar 

 calculating jockey advertises and exhibits a well-fed, prancing steed, 

 bearing a popular name ; but his whole carcass is redolent of faults 

 and defects, which the owner is not expected to know any thing 

 about, and if he does, it is not for his interest to point them out. 

 The price of copulation is dirt cheap, and the foolish speculatoi 

 expects to obtain a smart colt, that will eventually command a 

 high price. But, alas for such milk-and-water calculations! the 

 expected specimen of equine animality inherits and exhibits ita 

 parental infirmities and deformities, and ultimately becomes a 

 living monument of tlie folly of its o-^Tier. 



There is no beauty in the faults and defects which must neces- 

 aiirily occur through the sexual congress of faulty and defective 

 animals ; neither can there be grace in the motions of an overfed 

 or ill-conditioned animal. Beauty, symmetry, grace, and sound- 

 nefis are defunct in the ill-conditioned creature, or otlierwise de- 

 fiictive one — a mere apolog}' for the handiwork of Nature. The 

 muscular system of a horse or cow may, in some regions of the 

 body, be well-developed; but should their limbs be unnaturally 

 curved, or any part of their system be out of proportion to the 

 other parts of the body, then beauty has never seated itself on 

 their thrones. Yet we can improve the appearance of such ani- 

 malf by artificial means and costly adornments. This artifi'^ial 

 20 



