THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM. 49 



anomalies noticed do not interfere, the produce of a connexion 

 between dogs of a similar breed usually exhibit traits of individual 

 resemblance to each, united with the characteristic marks common 

 to the breed in general. Sportsmen incline to the opinion, that 

 the male pups are more strongly tinctured with the external form of 

 the father than of the mother, and vice versa ; but though instances 

 may occur to favour such conclusion, it is not a uniform occur- 

 rence. When the parents are of dififerent breeds9, the varying 

 outhnes of each are usually softened and blended in the progeny, 

 in nearly equal proportions'^. But this division of parental charac- 

 ter is not always equal : it sometimes happens that the more nota- 

 ble characteristics of form, size, and qualities, and even of sex, 

 are principally derived from the male parental. In others a stronger 

 similitude to the mother is apparent; and it now and then happens 



^ When dogs of different breeds are brought together, the progeny are said 

 to be a cross. Thus, pointers are sometimes crossed with foxhounds, to in- 

 crease their speed and ardour. The effect of these crosses is retained to the 

 seventh or eighth generation : among turf sportsmen it is supposed to exist, in 

 horses, to the twentieth successive descendant. 



'° These blendings of the individual character of each parent are illustrated 

 by hybridous animals. How easily traced, and yet how blended into a whole, 

 are the characters of the horse and ass, as observed in the hybrid mule ! These 

 hybridous productions also completely disprove the opinion some physiologists 

 have formed, that the male parent, in the procreative act, imparts nothing be- 

 yond the mere stimulus of life to the ovum or germ of the female ; for it 

 must be evident that the germ in the mare is naturally of the horse species ; 

 and did such germ merely receive the vivifying principle by the sexual in- 

 tercourse, it would be indifferent to the futiu-e produce whether the father 

 were a horse or an ass. 



" Some physiologists (and among them Sir E. Home) have supposed that 

 the ovum or germ, previous to impregnation, is of no sex, but is so formed as to 

 be equally fitted to become a male or female foetus ; and that it is the process of 

 impregnation that marks the sex, and produces both male and female genera- 

 tive organs. However this opinion may seem to be supported by facts, and 

 although instances do occur that give reason to suppose that the male parent 

 has considerable influence in determining the sex, yet others arise to prove 

 the female to be equally concerned in this matter. It is true that some dogs, 

 some stallions, and some bulls, are remarked for begetting a greater number of 



D 



