IMPROVING THE BREEDS OF HORSES* 1 73 
pose, can improve our breeds for general and military service. 
Science explains why; experience has demonstrated it. 
3. The breed of horses of which agriculture exclusively has 
directed the production, is the only one that has maintained its 
purity and has prospered. Such as have mingled with racing 
blood have degenerated, and have alone become mongrels. 
4. The question of the improvement of animals is a question 
of the study of the laws of nature, and of their influence over 
the vital functions of organised bodies. It will continue an un- 
solved problem so long as the natural sciences are not made the 
basis of rational principles, alone capable of elucidating the 
abstract practice of the crossing of breeds. 
5. The enormous expenditure made by the State (of France) 
for upwards of three centuries, towards the improvement of the 
breeds of cavalry horses has always failed of its objects. It has 
ever served to throw impediments in the way, by the want of 
the requisite knowledge on the part of those who had the con- 
ducting of it, both before and after the French revolution. 
6. The Republic must set these matters to rights. They must 
no longer suffer the monies of the tax- payers to be wasted 
through ignorance and cupidity. 
THE VETERINARIAN, MARCH 1, 1851. 
Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat. — Cicero. 
Our last number contains an article — continued in the present 
one — translated from the French Journal, Recueil de Mtdecine 
Vcttrinaire, on “ Racing considered as a Means of improving 
the Breeds of Horses.” The writer of this, after reminding us 
of a principle ever to be kept in view by those who study 
animal mechanics, viz. that, in spite of every perfection of form, 
yet may a horse turn out comparatively worthless from the lack 
o [blood, “the soul which animates the machine;” an animal, 
aptly enough by the French author, compared to a locomotive 
engine whose construction is perfect, “ but which is deficient 
in the required steam to force it onward ;” — after this, we repeat 
the writer goes on to say — “ If racing has shewn itself to be the 
best means of improving our breeds of light and speedy horses* 
experience has also shewn that, as practised in England, it has 
operated to a greater extent than might be imagined in destroy- 
