72 PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. 



be required that each male should approximate ; and 

 thus there would exist among what may be termed 

 fashionable sires, a corresponding form and character 

 different from, and superior to, those of the general 

 stock of the country. This form and character would 

 in most instances have been acquired by perseverance 

 in breeding from animals which possessed the important 

 or fancied requisites, and might therefore be said to be 

 almost confirmed in such individuals. Under these cir- 

 cumstances, striking results would doubtless follow the 

 introduction of these sires to a common stock ; results 

 which would lead superficial observers to remark, that 

 individual sires possessed properties as males, which 

 in fact were only assignable to them as improved ani- 

 mals." 



The opinion entertained by some, that the female 

 possesses the power generally ascribed to the male, he 

 explains also by a reference to the history of breeding : 

 '' It is well known to persons conversant with the sub- 

 ject of improved breeding, that of late years numerous 

 sales have taken place of the entire stocks of celebrated 

 breeders of sires, and thus, the females, valuable for 

 such a purpose, have passed into a great number of 

 hands. Such persons have sometimes introduced a cow 

 so acquired to a bull inferior in point of descent and 

 general good qualities, and the offspring is known, in 



