Notes on Cart Horses. 
321 
satisfied me that the principles thus laid down are sound ; and 
although, like every other breeder, I know something of the 
uncertainties attending the breeding of animals, yet I am con- 
vinced that there are certain laws pertaining to the process, 
which, like all Nature's operations, are fixed and unalterable, 
and which cannot be disregarded with impunity. 
" From my own observation, from conversations with the late 
Mr. JNI'Combie, M.P., and comparing notes with other breeders, 
I have come to the conclusion that the following cardinal points 
in the art of breeding have been fairly established : — 
" That from the male parent is mainly derived the external 
structure, configuration, and outward characteristics — the 
locomotive peculiarities inclusive. 
" From the female parent are derived the internal structure, 
the vital organs, and, in a much greater proportion than 
from the male, the constitution, temper, and habits. 
" That the purer the race of the parent the more certainty 
there is of its transmitting its qualities to the offspring. 
Say two animals are mated ; if one is of purer descent 
than the other, he or she will exercise the more influence 
in stamping the character of the progeny, particularly if 
the greater purity is on the side of the male. 
" That, apart from certain disturbing influences or causes, the 
male, if of pure race, and descended from a stock of uni- 
form colour, stamps the colour of the offspring. 
" That the influence of the first male is not unfrequently 
protracted beyond the birth of the offspring of which he 
is the parent, and his mark is left upon subsequent 
progeny. 
" That the transmission of diseases of the vital organs is 
more certain if on the side of the female : and diseases of 
the joints if on the side of the male parent." 
In the Paper in which the above extracts appear, I adduced 
numerous facts in support of my conclusions. These it is un- 
necessary to quote, as the readers of the ' Journal ' may find 
them in Vol. xvii. S.S., Part I. 
I would add, that I have since had opportunities for further 
observation. For instance, in 1879 I purchased at the first Shire- 
horse sale of the Earl of EUesmere the celebrated horse 
" Columbus " (503, Stud-book). He was a horse of remarkable 
beauty of form, grand action, and well descended. Nearly all 
his progeny, even from plain mares, bear a more or less close 
resemblance to him, and also inherit his grand action. He was 
the sire of "Paragon" (1707), a horse I had never seen until 
exhibited at the 1883 Show in the Agricultural Hall, Islington. 
VOL. XX. — S. S. \ 
