Chap. XX. METHODICAL SELECTION. 197 



" The finest are selected for breeding and receive a first mark. 

 " When they are one year old, and prior to shearing them, 

 " another close examination of those previously marked takes 

 " place : those in which no defect can be found receive a second 

 " mark, and the rest are condemned. A few months afterwards 

 " a third and last scrutiny is made ; the prime rams and ewes 

 " receive a third and final mark, but the slightest blemish is 

 " sufficient to cause the rejection of the animal." These sheep 

 are bred and valued almost exclusively for the fineness of their 

 wool ; and the result corresponds with the labour bestowed on 

 their selection. Instruments have been invented to measure 

 accurately the thickness of the fibres ; and " an Austrian fleece 

 has been produced of which twelve hairs equalled in thickness 

 one from a Leicester sheep." 



Throughout the world, wherever silk is produced, the greatest 

 care is bestowed on selecting the cocoons from which the moths 

 for breeding are to be reared. A careful cultivator 14 likewise 

 examines the moths themselves, and destroys those that are not 

 perfect. But what more immediately concerns us is thett certain 

 families in France devote themselves to raising eggs for sale. 15 

 In China, near Shanghai, the inhabitants of two small districts 

 have the privilege of raising eggs for the whole surrounding 

 country, and that they may give up their whole time to this 

 business, they are interdicted by law from producing silk. 16 



The care which successful breeders take in matching their 

 birds is surprising. Sir John Sebright, whose fame is perpetuated 

 by the "Sebright Bantam," used to spend " two and three days 

 in examining, consulting, and disputing with a friend which 

 were the best of five or six birds." 17 Mr. Bult, whose pouter- 

 pigeons won so many prizes and were exported to North 

 America under the charge of a man sent on purpose, told 

 me that he always deliberated for several days before he 

 matched each pair. Hence we can understand the advice of an 

 eminent fancier, who writes, 18 " I would here particularly guard 



• u Robinet, ' Vers a Soie/ 1848, p. 271. V 'The Poultry Chronicle,' vol. i., 



la Quatrefages, ' Les Maladies du 1854, p. 607. 

 Ver a Soie,' 1859, p. 101. is j. M . Eaton, ' A Treatise on Fancy 



16 M. Simon, in ' Bull, de la Soc. Pigeons,' 1852, p. xiv., and ' A Treatise 



d Acclimat.,' torn, ix., 1862, p. 221. on the Almond Tumbler,' 1851, p. 11. 



