SEXUAL SELECTION 667 



and were consequently to a large extent limited in their, 

 transmission to the same sex. ) 



From these considerations I was anxious to obtain in- 

 formation as to the Scotch deer-hound, the sexes of which 

 differ more in size than those of any other breed (though 

 bloodhounds differ considerably), or than in any wild 

 canine species known to me. Accordingly, I applied to 

 Mr. Oupples, well known for his success with this breed, 

 who has weighed and measured many of his own dogs, and 

 who has with great kindness collected for me the following 

 facts from various sources. Fine male dogs, measured at 

 the shoulder, range from 28 inches, which is low, to 33 or 

 even 34 inches in height; and in weight from 80 pounds, 

 which is light, to 120 pounds, or even more. The females 

 range in height from 23 to 27, or even to 28 inches; and in 

 weight from 50 to 70, or even 80 pounds.'' Mr. C apples 

 concludes that from 95 to 100 pounds for the male, and 70 

 for the female, would be a safe average; but there is reason 

 to believe that formerly both sexes attained a greater 

 weight. Mr. Oupples has weighed puppies when a fort- 

 night old; in one litter the average weight of four males 

 exceeded that of two females by six and a half ounces; in 

 another litter the average weight of four males exceeded 

 that of one female by less than one ounce; the same males 

 when three weeks old exceeded the female by seven and a 

 half ounces, and at the age of six weeks by nearly fourteen 

 ounces. Mr. Wright, of Yeldersley House, in a letter to 

 Mr. Oupples, says: "I have taken notes on the sizes and 

 weights of puppies of many litters, and, as far as my ex- 

 perience goes, dog-puppies as a rule differ very little from 

 bitches till they arrive at about five or six months old ; and 

 then the dogs begin to increase, gaining upon the bitches 



^ See, also, Richardson's "Manual on the Dog," p. 59. Much valuable 

 information on the Scottish deer-hound is given by Mr. McNeill, who first called 

 attention to the inequality in size between the sexes, in Scrope's "Art of Deer- 

 Stalking." I hope that Mr. Oupples will keep to his intention of publishing 

 a full account and history of this famous breed. 



