AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 279 



That is tlie reason why such numbers of the most distinguished 

 mares come to the stallions of our stations. Eut we must increase 

 all this by causing our stallions to go among the tribes and look 

 for the most beautiful mares. 



The stud-book of Africa will soon be of* great utility, for it 

 will not only teach the whole world the success of the race but 

 the precious elements of these ameliorating principles in the 

 horse. We can hardly give attention enough to the perfection of 

 that noble creature. 



The relative stature of the stallion and mare is worth a note. 

 If the mares of a country are generally from four feet eight inches 

 to four feet ten inches high, and the stallions from five feet to five 

 feet two inches high, we find a product most commonly of a loose 

 frame and not able to do good service. The principle of the 

 Arabs is never to put their mares, however small they may be, 

 except to stallions of great stature. 



Countries which are low and humid, where the soil abounds in 

 grass, tend to give to the animals great and rapid development, 

 thicken their skins, increase the quantity and quality of hair, and 

 of the mane and tail; but diminish the nervous fluid and make 

 the muscle, bone, and the organs generally, less solid in their tex- 

 ture compared with size. 



The crossing of breeds has another fault, that is we castrate the 

 males, but never the females. So that the cattle produce a 

 melange (a mixture), prejudicial to our horse-race, (chevaline). 

 The study of nature only can enlighten us, (in my opinion,) as 

 to the multiplication and perfection of all that she gives us. 



All civilized countries have been re-generated by agriculture. 

 And all experience teaches us that one of the most efficacious 

 causes of all agricultural progress is, if not the very first, the 

 amelioration of the farm races of animals. 



The French plow and sword are raising in Africa glory for 

 ages. Happy if my studies, researches, and any science I have 

 may make me a good worker in this cause ! ! 



The Garonne race of cattle, whose cradle has been in the valleys 

 of that river, is of!e of the finest known. Its reputation, a matter 

 especially worth our noting, came first to us from England 



