PHYSIOLOGY OF BREEDING. 
329 
error into which Mr. Orton has fallen, namely, that wherein 
he implies, at least, if he does not assert, that internal disease 
of the male is immaterial, inasmuch as he does not transmit 
his internal peculiarities to the offspring. Now, even ad- 
mitting, for the sake of argument, that this is correct, it is 
apparent that at some time or other his “ peculiarities,” even 
internal ones, may revive, and cause disappointment long 
after he is dead and forgotten. The remembrance, therefore, 
of this tendency ought to render us doubly cautious in 
every step we take. 
5th. I may mention what, perhaps, is not so much a cause 
as a symptom, and which possibly only extends to the colour 
of the offspring ; I mean the colour of the mouth, tongue, 
and palate. It has been remarked by ancient agricultural 
writers, Virgil among others, “ that the colour of the veins of 
the tongue and palate of the ram, governs that of the lamb’s 
fleece.” Perhaps this may not be wholly true ; but it has 
certainly been remarked, by at least one practical man in 
the present day, and who has mentioned it to me, as an 
almost certain indication as to when a black lamb may be 
expected. Further observation on this might determine 
whether any and what amount of credit this assertion de- 
serves. 
6th. Besides these disturbing influences which I have men- 
tioned, it cannot be doubted that there are others exercising 
a great deal of influence over the offspring, — for instance, the 
comparative animal vigour of the parents ; for if this quality 
be more developed in one than the other, it is only reasonable 
to suppose that this parent would exercise most influence 
over the young. We may also fairly suppose that temporary 
disease may not be without some influence, — or the compara- 
tive organization of the two parents, — and, perhaps, many 
others, which I may have failed to observe, or have omitted 
to mention. So that even when, availing ourselves of all that is 
known on this subject, we imagine we have provided for 
every contingency, a slight degree, more or less, of any of 
these causes 1 have named may entirely upset all our calcu- 
lations ; or their influence, or that of any one of them, may 
be increased, neutralized, or wholly destroyed by a combina- 
tion of any two or more of them. 
From what I have said, you cannot fail to perceive the 
immense difficulty and uncertainty which invest the subject I 
have introduced, and the almost impossibility of our predicting 
or controlling results by any precautions we may take ; and 
after what has been advanced by me, I fear I shall be open 
to the charge of pointing out difficulties without pointing out 
