JIYBEIDISATIOX 



attempting to breed with what is generally called a mule, 

 which is regarded as a sterile or barren, and, therefore, for 

 breeding purposes, a useless or worthless animal. As, 

 however, I shall bring forward only those cases in proof of 

 which no possible doubt can exist, I hope to establish 

 firmly in the minds of my readers that many of the 

 animals resulting in the union of distinct species are 

 capable of reproducing and continuing their race. 



What is a species ? What is a hybrid ? With the 

 former question it is necessary to first consider, or at least 

 to make an attempt to define the meaning of the term 

 species, before we can enter upon the second inquuy. 



The word species means a, single race of beings ; but to 

 avoid a too lengthy dissertation I will simply say that 

 animals found in a wild state, differing sufficiently from all 

 others in form, colour, size, marking, habits, voice, and 

 other distinguishing characters, are recognized by persons 

 who, by study and observation, have attended to those 

 characters, as separate species. Such persons are, and 

 miist be admitted as, the only authorities who can decide 

 upon any differences, and as being capable of fixing names 

 to the animals distinguished as of different species. 



Certain animals, hereafter to be mentioned, which are 

 described and admitted by all the most reliable authorities 

 to be of distinct and well-kno\Mi species, have, from time 

 to time, come together, and the result has been offspring, 

 commonly called hybrids, mules, or bastards. The reason 

 why the animals of a mixed species are not common, and, 

 therefore, are not frequently found in any large number 

 together, is accounted for by the fact that they rarely have 

 the opportunity of reproducing their kind. Another reason 

 is that they are so generally regarded as unable to repro- 

 duce that few pei-sons think of attempting to breed them. 

 A still more potent reason will be found in the fact that a 



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