RACING, OR TURF HORSES. , 219 



(n the Museum of the College of Surgeons, the markings of the male 

 quagga, when united with the ordinary mare, are continued clearly for 

 three generations beyond the one in which the quagga was the actual sire ; 

 And they are so clear as to leave the question settled without a doubt. 



When some of the elements, of which an individual sire is composed 

 *re in accordance with others making up those of the dam, they coalesce 

 in such a kindred way as to make what is called "a hit." On the other 

 hand, when they are too incongruous, an animal is the result wholly 

 unfitted for the task he is intended to perform. 



IN-AND-IN BREEDING. 



By a careful examination of the pedigrees of our most remarkable 

 horses, it will be seen that in all cases there is some in-breeding ; and in 

 the greater part of the most successful a very considerable infusion of it. 

 It is difficult to say what is not to be considered such, or when to make it 

 commence, for in all cases there is more or less relationship between the 

 sire and dam of every thoroughbred horse ; at least, I cannot find a single 

 exception — and again, for instance, examining the pedigree of Harkaway, 

 which is the result of one of the most direct crosses in the Stud-book, we 

 find that his sire and dam are both descended from Eclipse and Herod 

 through three or four strains on each side, as will be seen by referring 

 to page ?1.5. The same will apply to Alarm, who also is the result of as 

 direct a cross as is often seen ; and, in fact, whatever pedigree is ana- 

 lyzed, the result will be that the bulk of it in the fifth or sixth remove is 

 wiade up of Eclipse, Herod, and Matchem, or Regulus blood. It is not 

 that a horse goes back to one of these stallions in one line only, but 

 through six or seven, and sometimes through nearly all his progenitors. 

 Hence, it may be fairly assumed that all the horses of the present day 

 are Telated, either closely or distantly ; but when we speak of in-and-in 

 breeding, we mean a nearer relationship than this, such as a first cousin, 

 or, at the most, one in the second or third degree. But I believe it will 

 be found that even this amount of relationship is desirable, if not carriecl 

 too far, and that a vast number of our best modern horses have been 

 bred in this way. 



OUT-CROSSING. 



By crossing the blood, we understand the selection of a sire composed 

 of wholly different blood from that of the dam, or as different as can 

 be obtained of such quality as is suitable to the particular purpose in 

 view. Thus, in breeding race-horses it is found that continuing in the 

 same strain beyond two stages deteriorates the constitutional health, 

 diminishes the bone, and lowers the height ; hence, it is important to 

 avoV? +his evil, and another strain must be selected which shall lead to 



