118 CATTLE-BREEDING. 



are apparently as robust as animals that have 

 frequently received infusions of 'new blood' 

 by crossing." 



We see that in the period between 1861 to 

 1874 there had been a slight decline in fecun- 

 dity, and in the list Mr. Darwin gives he enu- 

 merates several which had recently existed 

 but had become extinct. Not a great many 

 years ago there were seven prominent herds of 

 these well-known cattle, of which more than 

 half have become extinct, one in very recent 

 years, and only two show any vigor or prospect 

 of long remaining as memorials of the distant 

 past ; and one of these, if I am not mistaken, 

 is of the polled variety. 



I think it is easy to read between the lines 

 of all descriptions of these wild or half-wild 

 cattle a warning against true and long-con- 

 tinued line breeding. The conditions under 

 which they have lived would seem to be the 

 most favorable as far as the individual goes 

 for maintaining the physical strength and 

 vigor. The dangers and vicissitudes of a 

 wholly wild life are averted, and while protec- 

 tion and abundant food are given none of the 

 more enervating influences of domesticated 

 existence are introduced. Add to these the 

 selection of the vigorous males, already men- 

 tioned in Mr. Darwin's account, and it is suffi- 

 ciently obvious that the conditions of their 



