CHAPTEli VIII 

 BREEDING 



ACCOEDING to the highest scientific authorities the 

 mammahan ovum is but a minute speck of animal 

 matter, possessing no individuality. The diameter is less 

 than Too^^ o^ ^^ inch. A membrane surrounding an 

 albuminous mass forms a simple cell containing a germinal 

 spot, and this constitutes the ovum. That germ in the 

 "egg" can only be seen under the highest pov^^ers of the 

 microscope ; and it only requires to be fertilised by coming 

 in contact with the male sperm to develop into a mammal — 

 a man, an elephant, a wee mouse, or any other member of 

 the vast order which includes all mammals under its wing, 

 each after its kind. The final development of that impreg- 

 nation is as astonishing as the fact that an oak-tree is the 

 outcome of a tiny acorn ; or that luscious fruit should 

 result from a similar fertilisation of the ovule of a flower 

 by contact with the male pollen. Nor does it require the 

 course of ages to produce such marvels, only a few months, 

 or in some cases only a few weeks, being quite sufficient. 

 When such astonishmg results are duly considered it does 

 not seem so incomprehensible that mammals have evolved 

 from birds and fish, in the course of many millions of 

 years. 



The principles of heredity are very strange and perplexing, 

 and though certain facts have been grasped by man, and 

 turned to his own purpose, only the fringe of the subject 

 has yet been touched upon. That " like produces like" is 

 generally acknowledged, and is so far true that the union of 

 two race-horses cannot produce a Shire horse ; nor can two 

 Shetland ponies become the parents of a Suffolk Punch. 



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