ADAPTATION OF SIKE AND DAM, 43 



two generations — ^this is what is knDwn to horse-men as in* 

 breeding — and then for many after generations to breed 

 with strangers, or very remote connections. And it is 

 worthy of remark that, although there are two distinct 

 theories, exactly opposite to each other, one in favor of 

 ill -breeding, the other of out-crossing, several of the best 

 strains of blood on the English tnrf are directly traceable 

 to an original incestuous connexion. 



Some of the most distinguished families, for instance, of 

 English racers, trace to Spanker, a very high-bred horse, 

 and very close to Arab stock on both sides, and his own 

 dam : and where no near connexion has existed for many 

 years in the blood of any peculiar family, it is on the 

 whole the most approved method, to breed m, that is, be- 

 tween close blood relations, for two, or perhaps three 

 generations, and then to seek for some strain of blood as 

 remote as possible by which to vary and reinvigorate the 

 strain. This plan of breeding has been of late years very 

 fashionable in England, and the result has been shown 

 very beneficially in several families famous for their quali- 

 ties of speed, endurance, and recuperation, at present on 

 the turf. It is certain, on the other hand, that to persist 

 too long in breeding, generation after generation, in and 

 in, is the most prejudicial of all modes; and that animals 

 so unnaturally connected in blood, degenerate in bone, in 

 Bize, in stature, and ultimately in all qualities. 



Whenever, therefore, it is known, or strongly suspected, 

 that in any family too long and persL<^tent an adherence 

 has been had to one and the same blood, and still more, 

 wherever the present generation is seen to iiave greatly de- 

 generated in size, recourse should be had to a strain of 

 blood as widely different as possible, in order to freshen 

 and strengthen the stock. 



