310 THE CROSSING, 



those individuals of each species, which have all the 

 characters of their species, well developed : 



"With some animals, close-interbreeding may be 

 carried on, for a long period, with impunity, by the 

 selection of the most vigorous and healthy individuals ; 

 but, sooner or later, evil follows." 



The questions, however, for Darwin to answer, are, 

 Why sooner? and, Why later? 



The experience of breeders shows unequivocally, 

 that extremely long-continued, close-interbreeding is 

 possible with Cattle and Sheep. This is an occasion 

 of no surprise, when it is remarked, how propor- 

 tionately developed these animals are, in comparison 

 with other species. 



The testimony also acquaints us with the fact, that, 

 although this process may be long carried on, evil at 

 length begins to manifest itself. Nor, is there room 

 for marvel, in this connection. For, although all of the 

 characters of each species, have a passably fair chance 

 to become developed, there is always some one char- 

 acter, in each breed, to the development of which the 

 breeder devotes especial care. Besides this, some de- % 

 fects in the true proportion, are frequently occasioned 

 by blind conformity to certain standards existing in the 

 breeder's mind; or, to a certain standard prescribed 

 by fashion; or, defects are present, through breeders 

 having deemed it politic to continue a certain, defec- 

 tive arrangement, of characters, which originally and 

 accidentally accompanied the special excellence of 

 the breed, as the preservation intact of the build as 

 originally discovered (inclusive of such defects), would 



