of pigs. 283 



The evil effects of interbreeding, in the case of the 

 Pig, are a matter of general notoriety. In all of the 

 discussions, on the subject of in-and-in breeding, no 

 case meets.with such continual mention. Those, who 

 endeavor to gainsay the fact, that evil is generally 

 attendant upon close-interbreeding, signally and mis- 

 erably fail to invalidate the fact, that " well-bred " Pigs 

 die out altogether, after having been bred in-and-in, for 

 only a few generations. No one considers the fact, at 

 all questionable; though a few verge close upon the 

 truth, when they demur to the force of the circum- 

 stance; and allege that, somehow or other, man's 

 treatment of the animals, has occasioned the evil 

 effects. How the course of breeding, to which the 

 Pigs are subjected, has to do with the phenomenon, 

 they are at a loss to say. 



The theory of proportionate development, discloses 

 the mystery. The suppression of certain characters, — 

 which, though of no direct use to the breeder, are yet 

 of incalculable, physiological importance to the ani- 

 mal, — has been the aim and object, in the development 

 of all the breeds. Being thus abnormally developed, 

 physiological, evil effects result, as matters of course. 



It is apparent, that the evils, of interbreeding, will 

 never be corrected, whilst scientists prescribe to breed- 

 ers, such a mode of selection, as the following : 



"Again," says Darwin (p. 236, Vol. ii, Animals and 

 Plants, &c), "hear what an excellent judge of Pigs, 

 says, ' The legs should be no longer, than just to pre- 

 vent the animal's belly from trailing on the ground. 

 The leg is the least profitable portion of the hog, and 

 we therefore require no more of it, than is absolutely 



