AXIOMS FOR THE BREEDER’S USE. 235 
from a greyhound with a peculiar nose, known as the “ Parrot-nosed 
bitch.” About the year 1825 she was put to a celebrated dog 
called “Streamer,” and bred a bitch called “ Ruby,” none of the 
litter showing this peculiar nose ; nor did “ Ruby ” herself breed 
any in her first two litters; but in her third, by a dog called 
“Blackbird,” belonging to Mr. Hodgkinson, two puppies showed 
the nose (“ Blackbird” and “ Starling”). In the same litter was 
a most celebrated bitch, known as “Old Linnet,” from which are 
descended a great number of first-rate greyhounds. In these, 
however, this peculiarity has never appeared, with two exceptions, 
namely, once in the third generation and once in the fifth, in a 
dog called “Lollypop,” bred by Mr. Thomas of Macclesfield, the 
possessor of the whole strain. One of the bitches of this breed is 
also remarkable for having always one blue puppy in each litter, 
though the colour is otherwise absent, never having been seen 
since the time of the above-mentioned “ Ruby,” who was a blue 
bitch. These facts are very remarkable, as showing the tendency 
to “throw back ” for generations ; but, as they are well known and 
fully recognised by all breeders, it is unnecessary to dilate upon 
them, and the above instances are only introduced as absolutely 
proving to the uninitiated what would otherwise depend upon 
dogmatic assertion. 
AXIOMS FOR THE BREEDER’S USE. 
But it may be asked, What, then, are the principles upon 
which breeding is to be conducted? ‘To this, in many of the 
details, no answer can be given which can be relied on with cer- 
tainty. Nevertheless, there are certain broad landmarks estab- 
lished which afford some assistance, and these shall be given, 
taking care to avoid all rules which are not clearly established by 
general consent. 
1. The male and female each furnish their quota towards the 
original germ of the offspring ; but the female, over and above this, 
nourishes it till it is born, and, consequently, may be supposed to 
have more influence upon its formation than the male. 
2. Natural conformation is transmitted by both parents as a 
general law, and likewise any acquired or accidental variation. 
