SELECTION OP BREEDING ANIMALS. 255 



practical rules for the guidance of the uniniti- 

 ated? Yes, and no. A few rules of a general, 

 common-sense sort may be given, but it will be 

 seen that these are quite insufficient for prac- 

 tical guidance in all cases. 



We have already seen what in a general way 

 should be avoided. Now, naturally growing 

 out of the fact that the two desiderata are 

 individual merit and sound pedigree, we find 

 that in any family the two things which lend 

 prestige are extraordinary merit and ancient 

 lineage. Thus in Short-horn families the Prin- 

 cess tribe holds a position of deserved eminence 

 because it probably traces its recorded lineage 

 to a more remote period than any other family; 

 and of the different sub-families into which the 

 Princess tribe has divided, the Gwynnes have 

 won a prominent place on account of great 

 individual merit. A few years ago in Short- 

 horn circles the London Duchesses were spe- 

 cially celebrated. Their then celebrity was due 

 to the phenomenal excellence of the family and 

 its success in the show-yard ; but they added 

 to this, descent from one of Mr. Mason's best 

 stocks, and they commanded the approval of 

 all on account of this. These are the two 

 things to seek for. The seeker may by a little 

 study acquaint himself with a few of the best 

 old families, and make himself to a certain 

 degree familiar with their history down to the 



