THE ORIGIN OF CATTLE. 



cannot precede their rise ; and thus the fact of mistakes in the past, 

 or false steps in the aims of every improvement thereof, involves the 

 corresponding introduction of true ones. 



The ancients had vast opportunities of improving their herds ac- 

 cording to their lights. They carried on the business of cattle raising 

 century a-fter century, the father handing down his experience to his 

 children without a break, generation after generation living, as it were, 

 in the same field with the stock they we're raising. The cattle raised 

 for sacrifice on their altars had to be of the most perfecS tiypesj, with 

 unbroken colors. Hence we, with our boasted advancement, can by 

 study and reflection learn much from the ancients in that respect. 



103. 



