PROBABILITY OF A CROSS. 215 



was then removed, apparently for the greater safety of 

 the calf, to a separate part of the park. This well- 

 authenticated circumstance seems to indicate a systematic 

 plan for obtaining a cross from a domestic cow (which 

 may even herself have had some of the wild blood), but 

 in a modified form — one or two crosses of the wild bulls 

 being superimposed first. It is exactly the mode which 

 many most skilful breeders have adopted when they 

 wished to gain fresh blood without sacrificing the ori- 

 ginal type and character; they have infused it into 

 their herds, having previously diluted it. 



Such proceedings may have been at times, when the 

 necessity for them was felt, not unusual. At any rate, 

 the only safe conclusion at which we can arrive is this : 

 that while there is no proof that the Chillingham cattle 

 have been closely inter-bred without any admixture for 

 several hundred years, nor, on the other hand, that they 

 have not been so in-and-in bred, yet all the presumptive 

 evidence — and that very strong — leads to the supposi- 

 tion that they have at least occasionally been crossed. 

 Nor can I at all see of what disadvantage to them the 

 small amount of crossing they have possibly received 

 could be. Proper selection being subsequently used — 

 and we know selection has been continuous — it 

 would in no way affect type, form, or colour, especially 

 since the wild blood is proved to be so much more 

 potent in its influence than the tame. Even if this 

 were not the case, and no selection had been used, 

 the effect of the cross would in a few generations be 

 very small, provided it were not soon again repeated. 

 The stronger blood of the majority would eventually 

 neutralise the weaker blood of the one and of his 

 descendants, who would almost necessarily be in a great 



