THE WHOLE TESTIMONY. 435 



In matters relating to the descent of horses we are compelled very 

 often to receive evidences of this character, and they have great 

 weight in the absence of certain and positive facts of paternity and 

 maternity clearly shown. 



The coincidence of time and locality, the precise period when this 

 mare should have been produced, and the precise region where and 

 when this horse was located; the possession by her of his precise 

 qualities, and the transmission of those qualities, together with cer- 

 tain personal peculiarities; together with the clearly known and 

 well-recognized fact that the traits and characteristics of the Mam- 

 brino Chief family are now and continue with great force and clear- 

 ness those of the Duroc-Messenger blood; and further, that no 

 other stallion of that union is shown to possess the same coincidence 

 of time and locality, — these facts and evidences must be accepted as 

 establishing the origin and paternity of tliis mare. 



Her own history and character, aside from that which pertains to 

 her origin, are worthy of a careful study. 



She was not a roadster from use and development. She was used 

 by a farmer, in a hilly country, to haul farmers' truck and products to 

 the market of towns some miles distant. She generally drew a one- 

 horse wagon, a sort of gardener's or farmer's truck wao-on. In addi- 

 tion to this, she was used on the farm for the various single and double 

 team work of the farm. She was not driven in a buggy, or a sulky, 

 or any of the light vehicles used now for fast work or to call out 

 speed. But for all this slow routine of farm drudgery, she could trot 

 home from the market, a distance of seventeen miles, at a rate that 

 caused her to be regarded as an old mare of more than ordinary 

 capacity and quality. 



She attained the age of about thirty years, showing by her endur- 

 ance that she possessed the blood and stauiina of some long-lived and 

 well-bred family. 



She lived in a covmty where good blood was not scarce. The great 

 Mambrino, son of Messenger, had spent all his days, or the greater 

 part thereof, and died on an adjacent farm. Hambletonian, son of 

 Messenger and sire of Harris' Hambletonian, the Green Mountain 

 trotting sire, had left much of his stock in the same county. 



Duroc was owned and kept part of his life in the same county. 

 Bellfounder had spent part of his days in service in the same county. 

 It had been noted for the breeding of its horses from the earliest 

 days. 



