be they the most anthropomorphic, or be they the most abstruse of reHgious 

 or scientific dogmas. Even those who regard the Evokition Theory as final — 

 and there are very few, if any, who do so — are logically compelled, as we 

 have said, to introduce an unknown power, for they have recourse to the most 

 unsatisfactory of all factors — that called Chance. Either Chance means 

 praciically nothing at all, either it means that facts, which are manifestly 

 great, are to be explained by a very small and insignificant cause, or it really 

 implies a Great Unknown Power. In fact, this belief in one power of some 

 kind, more or less powerful, may be said to be one, in possessing which, all men 

 agree. Such an assumption, is in reality, one of the indispensable conditions 

 of tb. ought. In Evolution we have the dim notion of a method, and, when 

 this is realized, the question still presents itself, — What is it, or rather, Who 

 is it — who guides this process ? What causes this gradual growth which is 

 palpably going on, and so far as we can determine, in the direction of 

 Advance and Progress ? What causes Evolution ? Some may be satisfied 

 with the answer, " We don't know." Let us, however, while acknowledging 

 this in some sense, as, indeed, we are compelled to do, look for and recognise 

 a higher ideal, and boldly acknowledge the Almighty and Inscrutable Power 

 which, try as they will, men cannot refrain from postulating in some form at 

 least. 



The Evolution hypothesis has exerted the ver>^ greatest influence on all 

 the sciences ; but on no kind of knowledge has it had more effect than on the 

 veterinary branch. The development of all higher animals from lower types 

 has now been abundantly attested by geological investigations. In common 

 with other animals, the horse, ox, sheep, pig, and dog have arisen from 

 simpler and more highly generaHzed forms. The gradual production of the 

 horse from creatures having five perfect toes on each limb, has been estab- 

 lished, beyond the possibility of doubt. The gradual loss of all toes except 

 the central one, which is now provided with two rudimentary appendages, 

 called splint bones, is one of the facts which show us how the horse has 

 been steadily modified in a definite direction, since the time of what is 

 technically called the Eocene period, until at length this animal has assumed 

 the present well-known shape and proportions. Such facts as these are well 

 known. Great, however, as has been the influence of new ideas, the advantages 

 already derived are immeasurably enhanced by their importance as guides 

 to the methods of modern research. 



At the present time, it may be truly said that a wave of knowledge is 

 sweeping many erroneous notions away, though this is not being effected 

 without trouble and some annoyance. Work is not done, and cannot be 

 done, it seems, without a great amount of friction. There has always been, 

 for instance, a certain amount of jealousy between the so-cahed practical 

 and the so-called theoretical people. It is high time this was done away 

 with. It is a common belief among the populace, and even among some 

 of the most highly educated — and there is no class of men who adhere to 

 this delusion more rigidly and obstinately than many of those who have to 

 do with horses — that there are two distinct divisions into which all know- 

 ledge may be divided, viz. : — theory and practice. Perhaps no opinion has 



