u 



OF MULES. 



But to return to our mules. In thofe I ob- 

 tained from the he-goat and ewe, the number 

 of males was as feven to two ; in thofe from the 

 dog and fhe-wolf, the males were as three to 

 one ; and, in thofe from the goldfinch and Ca- 

 nary bird, the males were as fixteen to three. 

 It appears, therefore, to be certain, that the 

 number of males, which is always greater than 

 that of females in pure fpecies, is ftill greater in 

 mixed fpecies. Hence, the male, in general, 

 has a greater influence on the produce of gene- 

 ration than the female, becaufe he tranfmits his 

 fex to the greateft number, and becaufe the 

 number of males augments in proportion to the 

 remotenefs of the fpecies which intermix. The 

 fame thing muft happen in the conjunftion of 

 different, races : By crofling the remoteft of thefe, 

 we Ihall not only procure the moft beautiful 

 productions, but the greateft number of males. 



I 



fays he, ' informed me, that, •within thefe few days, he faw a 

 large maftiff copulate with a flie-wolf; that the wolf is 

 tame ; that fhe is always in her maftcr's chamber, and con- 

 fequently under his eye ; that flie never goes out alone ; 

 and that fhe follows her mailer with all the fidelity of a 

 dog. He adds, that an animal merchant has had, at four , 

 different times, mules produced by the wolf and dog. He 

 alledgcs, that the wolf is only a wild dog ; and in this opi- 

 nion he is joined by the celebrated anatomill Mr Hunter. 

 He thinks differently with regard to the fox. He tells mc, 

 that a bitch, who was a daughter of a wolf, and belonged 

 to Lord Clanbrazil, intermixed with a fotting dog, and 

 produced puppies, which, according to his hunter, will be 

 excellent pointers.' 



