Hybridity in Animals. A5 
I have only to add, on the same authority, that Prof. Flourens, 
of Paris, has recently obtained a cross between the wild ram* 
(Ovis musmon ?) and the female of the common goat. 
Cervine and Ovine Hybrid.—Hellenius, quoted by Rudolphi, 
mentions the very interesting case of a Sardinian doe that refused 
' the goat, but was crossed: by a ram. The young had the figure 
of the father, but in color more resembled the mother. These 
. hybrids were again crossed by a Finland ram, and after a few 
generations assumed the characters of the Finland breed of 
eep.t i 
Cameline Hybrids.—The two species of camel, C. bactrianus 
and C. dromedarius, produce with each other an intermediate off- 
spring, which is said to be fertile without limit. Buffon could not 
deny this proverbial fact ; and in order to obviate a difficulty that 
conflicted with a favorite opinion, he assumed that these animals 
ust be mere varieties of a single species. Modern science, 
however, has established, beyond question, the specific differences 
of the camel and the dromedary.{ 
Canine Hybrids.—If we could admit that all the dogs, with 
their varied external forms and peculiar instincts, have been de- 
rived from a single pair of these animals, we could have no diffi- 
culty, I conceive, in adopting so much of Lamarck’s theory as 
relates to the progressive transmutation of species, resulting from 
What he calls the force of external circumstances; and it is cu- 
nous to observe, that he especially adduces the canine race in 
support of his hypothesis. ‘In nature we seek in vain for mas- 
ufis, harriers, spaniels, greyhounds, and other races between 
Which the differences are so great that they would be readily ad- 
mitted as specific among wild animals; yet all these have sprung 
originally from a single race, at first approaching very near to a 
wolf; if, indeed, the wolf be not the true type which at some 
period or other was domesticated by man.” 
‘He further maintains that the peculiar instincts and functions 
of animals, the dogs for example, have not resulted from a pre- 
vious and pre-adapted organization; but that these instincts, on 
the contrary, have developed by constant use those very organs 
of which they are the seat. The greyhound for example, has 
derived his long and slender legs, and his proverbial speed, from 
the mere habit of running with celerity in pursuing some animals 
and in escaping from others. ‘The mastiff again has becor 
large, strong and muscular, from habitually seizing and holding 
animals larger and stronger than himself. In fine, Lamarck ap- 
plies the same principle to all organized beings, which according 
“§ See Lye 
