33 



degree in correspondence with the prepotency of 

 individual sires. The characteristics of first sires may 

 make themselves apparent in innumerable ways — in 

 colour, conformation, constitution, and temperament, 

 but they may be so slight that they are practically 

 imperceptible, and, on the other hand, they may be 

 so prominent as almost to bring the theory of tele- 

 gony within the range of established truth. By con- 

 tinuous breeding, the distinctive features of original 

 sires are gradually reduced, though they may never 

 absolutely disappear. 



All breeders of stock are familiar with reversion, 

 or atavism, as it is occasionally called, and even under 

 the care of the most experienced breeders reversions 

 occur from time to time in the most unaccountable 

 manner. They are more frequent, however, during 

 the formation of particular breeds of stock,, than when 

 breeds are permanently fixed and established. This 

 principle is borne out in all classes of stock ; thus, 

 in-and-in breeding, whilst in some cases it may lead 

 to deterioration of size and delicacy of constitution 

 when practised unscientifically, is no doubt respons- 

 ible for the excellency of all kinds of British stock 

 at the present day. But reversion and telegony are 

 essentially distinct, because the former peculiarity may 

 revert along the female just as easily as along the 

 male line of descent, the balance naturally depending 

 upon whichever parent possesses the greater pre- 

 potency. Telegony, as already explained, can only 

 revert to original sires. In this way telegony, if it 



D 



