18 THE BREEDING PROBLEM. 



tion is to burrow in the ground ; by taming and cultivation in a warren for 

 several generations, lie ceases to burrow — a part of his natural instinct being 

 effaced, and which will only reappear when a continued recurrence of wanta 

 makes him appreciate its necessity again. 



The laws of hereditary transmission also govern the more subordinate, aa 

 well as the dominant, characteristics ; hence, fecundity, longevity, peculiar 

 idiosyncrasies, as Avell as purely personal traits, become established and trans- 

 missible, and it appears, to some extent at least, independent of mode of 

 living, race, climate, food or profession. Many instances might be given in 

 proof of these statements, were it deemed necessary. Longevity, which i» 

 capable of being extended or diminished, owing to selection or crosses, does 

 not depend upon race, mode of life, or climate, so much as upon heredity. 

 The general average of life may be, and doubtless is, affected by local causes, 

 such as hygiene, climate and civilization ; but individual longevity is almost 

 entirely independent of these influences. Longevity may be said to result 

 from an internal principle of vitality, which certain persons or animals 

 receive at birth or time of conception. Again, some families become prema- 

 turely aged, their hair turning gray, and their physical and mental powers 

 giving way at a comparatively early age. Some families appear to be endowed 

 with a peculiar immunity from certain forms of disease, and especially so of 

 contagious diseases. Heredity exerts a controlling influence over the repro- 

 ductive functions. Some families of men and animals are remarkable for 

 their fecundity. Other families, again, have a peculiar voice ; the females 

 speaking like males, or rough and coarse. Stammering, lisping, or speaking 

 with a nasal twang, is characteristic of some families. There are families of 

 musicians, who almost invariably possess a fine ear for music. Others, again, 

 are notably defective in this particular, having no ear at all for music. 

 Loquacity is characteristic of some families. Dr. Lucas observes that " most 

 children of talkative parents are chatterboxes from infancy." In some fami- 

 lies of horses nearly all are found to be natural pacers, etc., etc. 



The hereditary transmission of disease, or, at least, a predisposition thereto, 

 as well as anomalies of organization, can not be denied. The case of Edward 

 Lambert is a well authenticated instance. His whole body, with the excep- 

 tion of his hands, face and soles of the feet, was covered with horny excres- 

 cences. He was the father of six children, all of whom, from an early age, 

 presented the same peculiarity of the skin. The only one of the children who 

 survived to manhood transmitted it to all his sons ; thus it passed through 

 several generations. What appears strange in this case is, that the sons only 

 were aflected, and alone capable of transmitting it. 



We have in the horse history of this country an instance very simi- 

 lar to the foregoing. Winthrop Messenger, a son of Imported Mes- 

 senger, and the one of that family from which the many distinguished 

 Messengers of the State of Maine descended, was attacked with grease 

 or scratches, which, from neglect and want of care, became chronic, 

 and continued to his death in a greatly aggravated form. It has 



