22 PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. 



perfect, and this introduces us to another law, viz : 

 that of variation, v^hich v^ill be considered by and by ; 

 our present concern is to ascertain what we can of the 

 law of similarity. 



The lesson which this law teaches might be stated in 

 five words, to wit : Breed only from the hestr—hwi the 

 teaching may be more impressive, and will more likely 

 be heeded, if we understand the extent and scope of the 

 law. 



Facts in abundance show the hereditary tendency of 

 physical, mental and moral qualities in men, and very 

 few would hesitate to admit that the external form and 

 general characteristics of parents descend to children 

 in both the human and brute races ; but not all are 

 aware that this law reaches to such minute particulars 

 as facts show to be the case. 



We see hereditary transmission of a peculiar type 

 upon an extensive scale, in some of the distinct races, 

 the Jews, and the Gypsies, for example. Although 

 exposed for centuries to the modifying influences of 

 diverse climates, to association with peoples of widely 

 differing customs and habits, they never merge their 

 peculiarities in those of any people with whom they 

 dwell, but continue distinct. They retain the same 

 features, the same figures, the same manners, customs 

 and habits. The Jew in Poland, in Austria, in London, 



