312 DADD’S VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 
celebrated for the production of a permanent variety of horses 
known as ‘‘ Clevelands.’? They are an ancient and unmixed race. 
Their bodies have peculiar markings, and if a foal should be born 
without them, the owner would give orders for its immediate 
destruction. I presume it is now understood what is meant by 
permanent variety. 
ANIMALS BECOME PARENTS TOO EARLY. 
Victor GILBERT never allowed ewes to have iambs until they 
had passed their third year, and the bucks were never used until 
they had arrived at full maturity. THe, as well as many other 
sagacious stock-raisers that I might name, are probably conver- 
sant with the fact that, during the period of growth and develop- 
ment up to maturity, the reproductive organs are dormant, while, 
at the same time, the nutritive function was wholly engaged in 
elaborating chyle and blood for the development of bone, muscle, 
and nerve; and that by calling into rcquisition the reproductive 
or generative organs befcre the animal had attained full growth, 
must necessarily divert the elements of matter intended for nutri- 
tion from their legitimate channel, and direct them to the repro- 
ductive organs. This is precisely what takes plucc. A too early 
use of the purely animal functions induces weakness and stunted 
growth. 
The author remembers that, in his school-boy days, it was cus- 
tomaiy, so soon as au boy had accumulated a few pence, to invest 
the same in a rabbit (a favorite animal at that period) ; conse- 
quently we had a community of juvenil. rabbit-raisers ; und from 
the results of past experience, az observed by the older boys, a rule 
was adopted among us that the doe should not be put to the buck 
until she had attained full maturity. The reason assigned for this 
rule was, ‘‘ Harly breeding prevented the doe from growing.’’? The 
facts were evident ; still we knew not the why nor wherefore, but 
acted on the spur of experience. Physiologists have assigned the 
above as the true cause, and have, in their writings, pointed out 
the woeful results which often follow a too early use of the purely 
animal functions and organs. I seriously urge farmers to give 
this subject that attention which it evidently demands. By so 
doing they will prevent many of the unnecessary abortions which 
are almost constantly occurring. Among the higher orders of 
