392 ORIGIN AND TRANSMISSION 



limbs * and length of the body ; so that the breed v/as called 

 the otter breed, from being compared to that animal. The 

 forelimbs were also crooked, so as to give them in one part, 

 the appearance of an elbow ; and hence the name ' ancon* 

 (from ccyKuv) was given to this kind of sheep. They were 

 propagated in consequence of being less able to jump over 

 fences. " They can neither run nor jump like other sheep. 

 They are more infirm in their organic construction, as well 

 as more awkward in their gait, having their fore-legs always 

 crooked, and their feet turned inwards when they walk." 



" When both parents are of the otter or ancon breed, 

 their descendants inherit their peculiar appearance and 

 proportions of form. I have heard but of one questionable 

 case of a contrary nature." 



" When an ancon ewe is impregnated by a common ram, 

 the increase resembles wholly either the ewe or the ram. 

 The increase of a common ewe, impregnated by an ancon 

 ram, follows entirely the one or the other, without blending 

 any of the distinguishing and essential peculiarities of both." 



" Frequent instances have happened where common ewes 

 Iiave had twins by ancon rams, when one exhibited the com- 

 plete marks and features of the ewe, the other of the ram ; 

 the contrast has been rendered singularly striking, when 

 one short-legged and one long-legged lamb, produced at a 

 birth, have been seen sucking the dam at the same time f." 



The formation of new varieties, by breeding from indivi- 

 duals in whom the desirable properties exist in the greatest 

 degree, is seen much more distinctly in our domestic ani- 

 mals than in our own species, since the former are entirely 

 in our power. The great object is to preserve the race 

 pure, by selecting for propagation the animals most conspi- 

 cuous for the size, colour, form, proportion, or any other 

 property we may fix on, and excluding all others. In this 



* Sir EvERARD Home foiuitl that the bono of the fore-leg iu one of these 

 sheep was larger, but not so long as that of a miuh smaller Welsh sheep. 

 Thompson's Annals of Philosophy, v. i. 



+ Col. IIuMHHRF.Ys On a New Breed of Sheep Philos. Trans. 1813. pt. 1. 



