180 SELECTION. Chap. XX. 



as are the beaks of the rock pigeon and goldfinch, the end 

 has undoubtedly been nearly gained, as far as external shape 

 and proportions are concerned. 



Not only should our animals be examined with the greatest 

 care whilst alive, but, as Anderson remarks, 9 their carcases 

 should be scrutinised, " so as to breed from the descendants 

 of such only as, in the language of the butcher, cut up well." 

 The " grain of the meat " in cattle, and its being well marbled 

 with fat, 10 and the greater or less accumulation of fat in the 

 abdomen of our sheep, have been attended to with success. 

 So with poultry, a writer, 11 speaking of Cochin-China fowls, 

 which are said to differ much in the quality of their flesh, 

 says, " the best mode is to purchase two young brother-cocks, 

 " kill, dress, and serve up one ; if he be indifferent, similarly 

 " dispose of the other, and try again ; if, however, he be fine 

 " and well-flavoured, his brother will not be amiss for breeding 

 " purposes for the table." 



The great principle of the division of labour has been 

 brought to bear on selection. In certain districts 12 " the 

 " breeding of bulls is confined to a very limited number of 

 " persons, who by devoting their whole attention to this 

 " department, are able from year to year to furnish a class of 

 " bulls which are steadily improving the general breed of the 

 " district." The rearing and letting of choice rams has long 

 been, as is well known, a chief source of profit to several 

 eminent breeders. In parts of Germany this principle is 

 carried with merino sheep to an extreme point. 13 So impor- 

 " tant is the proper selection of breeding animals considered, 

 " that the best flock-masters do not trust to their own judg- 

 " ment or to that of their shepherds, but employ persons called 

 " ' sheep-classifiers,' who make it their special business to 

 " attend to this part of the management of several flocks, 

 " and thus to preserve, or if possible to improve, the best 

 ; ' qualities of both parents in the lambs." In Saxony, " when 



9 ' Recreations in Agriculture,' vol. Ag;ricult. Soc.,' quoted in 'Gard. 

 ii. p. 409. Chronicle,' 1844, p. 29. 



10 Youatt on Cattle, pp. 191, 227. 13 Simmonds, quoted in 'Gard. 



11 Ferguson, ' Prize Fjultry,' 1854, Chronicle,' 1855, p. 637. And for 

 p. 208. the second quotation, see Youatt on 



12 Wilson, in 'Transact. Highland Sheep, p. 171. 





