SEX. 91 



males by a reverse choice dn the ewes and rams he put 

 together. * 



Mod. Martegoute, formerly Professor of Eural Econ- 

 omy, in a late communication to the "Journal D 'Agri- 

 culture Pratique," says that as the result of daily 

 observations at a sheepfold of great importance, that 

 of the Dishley Mauchamp Merinos of M. Viallet at 

 Blanc, he has, if not deceived, obtained some new hints. 

 He states that Giron's law developed itself regularly 

 at the sheepfold in all cases where difference of vigor 

 was observed in the ewes or rams which were coupled ; 

 but he adds another fact, which he had observed every 

 year since 1853, when his observations began. This 

 fact consists — 



First, In that at the commencement of the rutting 

 season when the ram is in his full vigor he procreated 

 more males than females. 



Second, When, some days after, and the ewes coming 

 in heat in great numbers at once, the ram being weak- 

 ened by a more frequent renewal of the exertion, the 

 procreation of females took the lead. 



Third, The period of excessive exertion having 

 passed, and the number of ewes in heat being dimin- 

 ished, the ram also found less weakened, the procrea- 

 tion of males in majority again commenced." 



In order to show that the cause of such a result is 

 9 



