516 
PROFESSOR SIMONDS’S LECTURE. 
particular breed, two plans are advocated by two sections of practical 
breeders. One of these is commonly called the “ in-and-in sys- 
tem,” the other the “crossing” plan. The in-and-in system was 
strongly advocated by the late Mr. Bakewell, and his example had 
at least the effect of destroying the prejudice which existed against 
breeding from animals having a relationship. But this system is 
generally considered to deteriorate the breed after a time, and 
probably is limited, so far as its benefits are concerned. Every 
improvement of a breed requires the application of the same 
means to retain it which had produced it ; and the chief of these 
is care in the selection of stock, so as to avoid a predisposition 
to hereditary defects or disease. Crossing is founded on a prin- 
ciple, just as secure as Bakewell’s in-and-in system, added to the 
care in selection. Certain diseases are hereditary, as is colour; 
and they well knew that they could only get rid of a particular 
colour by crossing. Still, this crossing required equal care in 
selection to avoid degeneration. Mr. Simonds illustrated this 
peculiar susceptibility to disease or defect, by referring at some 
length to the fact of the large proportion of “ roarers” among the 
horses in Yorkshire. Animals bred from these “ roarers” possessed 
a great predisposition to the disease ; so much so, that if these 
Yorkshire horses were exposed to the ordinary causes of the affec- 
tion, the peculiar defect would be developed, while other horses 
similarly exposed would escape. That which is true with regard 
to horses applies equally to cattle, sheep, and all domesticated ani- 
mals. The capability of like to produce like, Mr. Simonds further 
illustrated by referring to the results of crossing various breeds of 
cattle, such as Devons with Herefords, both the colour and form 
of the produce being thereby altered or modified. Among ani- 
mals in a state of nature the tendency to change does not exist to 
the same extent as in those which are domesticated ; therefore 
degeneration of a breed does not equally take place. The lec- 
turer then passed on to remark upon the importance, in crossing 
animals, of suiting the male to the mind or taste of the female. 
Some might smile at this notion, but Mr. S. shewed, by several 
facts, the importance of paying attention to this point. Professor 
Simonds then came to the two main divisions of his subject, 
namely — 1. The structure and functions of the organs principally 
concerned in the reproduction of the species ; and, 2. The princi- 
ples which should guide us in cases of difficult or protracted 
parturition. He observed that as every part of the body of the 
foetus had to be perfected at the same time ; and as the develop- 
ment of every organ depended upon the amount of pure blood 
which it received, so it was necessary that the blood which went to 
the extremities, and that which went to the head, should be alike 
