SECRETARY'S REPORT. 241 



The whole number of asses and mules in this State, accord- 

 ing to the census of 1860, is one hundred and twenty-seven ; 

 but many persons are beginning to inquire into their merits, 

 and it may be safely affirmed that there will be ten times as 

 many in 1870. There is no doubt that at the present prices of 

 stock of all kinds good mules are the most profitable animals 

 to raise for sale, and they certainly are unsurpassed in ability 

 to perform severe and constant labor, at a moderate expense 

 for keeping, and small risk of sickness or injury. The testi- 

 mony of all who have given them a fair trial is decidedly in 

 favor of the economy of employing mules in preference to any 

 other animal for draught, either upon the farm or on the road. 



It should be remarked that a mare once covered by a jack, 

 need never again be expected to produce a good colt, but should 

 be put only to raising mules. 



There are some very curious and wise provisions in nature 

 respecting the influence of the male animal, not only upon the 

 immediate offsprijig, but also upon the female herself, and 

 all her future progeny. It seems to be a well established 

 fact, that the male animal which first impregnates a female, 

 imparts something of his character, both to her and to all 

 her future young. Thus, a mare was once covered by a 

 quagga, and produced a striped mule. Afterwards she had 

 colts by three different stallions, but every one was striped, 

 and resembled in other respects the quagga ; and similar results 

 follow when mares are once impregnated by a jack and after- 

 wards by a stallion. It follows, obviously, from this principle, 

 that mares which have been served by inferior stallions, are 

 much less valuable for breeding purposes than they would have 

 been if they had been covered only by males of the best quality. 

 The same rule, of course, applies to other animals. 



It has been suggested in explanation of this singular phe- 

 nomenon, that the effect upon the female may be caused in 

 part by the fact, that her blood circulates through the fetus, 

 and thus acquires something of its peculiar nature, derived 

 from its sire. 



It appears also that the fancy, or imagination, of the female 

 produces a marked effect upon her offspring. Hence the judi- 

 cious custom of causing the male animal to remain for a con- 

 siderable time in the sight of the female at the period of copu- 



