TEE QUESTION OF IN-BREEDING. 209 



kept up to nearly the same average number of fifty." 

 It has really been raised of late to a much higher 

 average, and has increased since 1361 between thirty 

 and forty per cent.; the annual increase, therefore, 

 must have been much greater than that supposed, even 

 under disadvantages which have not yet been proved to 

 apply to the semi-wild herds of Paraguay. 



I consider that the relative infecundity of the 

 Chillingham cattle has been scarcely proved in itself, and 

 still less as a result of inter-breeding, for I do not think 

 that their being in-and-in bred to the extent supposed 

 by "Culley and others" is at all established by evidence. 

 It appears to me to be a mere assumption, and one 

 not in itself particularly probable. This is a subject 

 upon which, from its great importance, I cannot refuse 

 to enter ; for the supporters of long-continued in-and-in 

 breeding have always appealed to the Chillingham herd 

 as their great example and authority. It should be 

 remembered, however, that this question in no way 

 affects the origin or antiquity of the herd, nor even the 

 preservation of its ancient type, these last being suffi- 

 ciently proved ; it affects only the manner in which the 

 herd has been kept up : the point at issue being whether 

 it has always been from the first continuously and 

 systematically inter-bred, or whether at any time 

 subjected to a cross. It is by no means to be denied 

 that these cattle have been often, and perhaps for a long 

 time together, and especially of late years, bred closely 

 inter se alone — that is fully admitted; and the late Lord 

 Tankerville, Eiitimeyer, and Darwin point out some 

 disadvantages which have arisen in consequence, such 

 as diminished size and a tendency to certain complaints. 

 But the real question is — I repeat it again — Have they 

 o 



