594 
HEREDITARY INFLUENCE. 
This is a much more acceptable theory than the other, but 
it is only an approximation to the truth. Mr. Orton’s first 
illustration is the hybrid of the horse and ass. 
“ It is known that the produce of the male ass and the mare is a mule ; 
but I do not think it is equally well-known that the produce of the stallion 
and the female ass is what has been denominated a hinny — yet such is the 
case The mule, the produce of the ass and mare, is essentially 
a modified ass — the ears are those of an ass somewhat shortened — the 
mane is that of an ass — the tail is that of an ass — the skin and colour are 
those of an ass somewhat modified — the legs are slender, the hoofs high, 
narrow, and contracted, like those of an ass. The body and barrel are 
round and full, in which it differs from the ass and resembles the mare.” 
This description is accurate, but — we put it interrogatively 
— is it always the description of a mule, and never that also of 
a hinny? This latter, the produce of the stallion and the 
female ass, “is essentially a modified horse — the ears like 
those of a horse somewhat lengthened — the mane flowing — 
the tail bushy like that of a horse — the skin is fine like that 
of a horse — the legs are stronger, and the hoofs broad and 
expanded like those of a horse. The body and barrel are flat 
and narrow, in which it differs from the horse, and resembles 
its mother the ass.” From these facts, Mr. Orton deduces 
the conclusion, that the offspring of a cross is not simply a 
mixture of the two parents, nor is it an animal that has 
accidentally a similitude to one or other of its parents, inas- 
much as we can produce at will either the hinny or the mule. 
The reader will presently see why such a conclusion cannot 
be accepted; and we may at once anticipate what will 
hereafter be more fully explained, by saying that the differ- 
ences Mr. Orton signalises are easily interpreted by another 
theory. In point of fact, both mule and hinny are modified 
asses : in each the structure and disposition of the ass 
predominates ; and it does so in virtue of that greater 
“potency of race” which belongs to the ass — a potency 
which is less effective on the hinny, because the superior 
vigour of the stallion modifies it, according to ascertained 
laws. 
“ I would call your consideration,” Mr. Orton continues, “ to a very 
curious circumstance pertaining to the voice of the mule and the hinuy ; to 
which my attention was called by Mr. Lort. The mule brays , the hinny 
neighs. The why and wherefore of this is a perfect mystery, until we come 
to apply the knowledge afforded us by the law I have given. The male 
gives the locomotive organs, and the muscles are amongst these; the 
muscles are the organs which modulate the voice of the animal ; the mule 
lias the muscular structure of its sire the ass, and bray3 ; the hinny has the 
muscular structure of its sire the horse, and neighs.” 
This seems decisive, until we extend our observations, and 
