THE POULTRY BOOK. 
65 
varieties may be produced and perpetuated. Thus, by mating Silver-greys of 
different depths of colour, white animals with black extremities are often produced^ 
and these have been perpetuated by mating them together. The breed so pro- 
duced is known as the Himalayan variety, and, as it reproduces its like, is as 
pure and distinct a breed as any other that can be named. But, in the strictest 
scientific sense of the word, no particular variety of rabbit can be said to be a 
pure breed, as, like all the others, it is descended from the wild original. In 
the same manner, we may deny the applicability of the term pure breed to the 
varieties of any domesticated animal, even if, as in the case of the dog or sheepj 
we do not know the original from which they descended. 
‘‘All that can be asserted of the so-called purest-bred variety is that it has been 
reared for a number of years or generations without a cross with any other variety. 
But it should be remembered that every variety has been reared by careful arti- 
ficial selection, either from the original stock or from other varieties. 
“In the strict sense of the word, then, there is no such thing as an absolutely 
pure breed — the term is only comparatively true. We may term the Spanish fowl 
a pure breed, because it has existed a long period, and obviously could not be 
improved by crossing with any other known variety ; in fact, its origin as a 
variety is not known. But many of our domesticated birds hRve a much more 
recent origin. Where were Game Bantams fifty years ago ? the variety did not 
exist. They have been made by two modes : breeding Game closely in and in to 
reduce the size, and then crossing the small Game fowl so obtained with Bantams. 
Nevertheless, Game Bantams, as at present shown, have quite as good a claim to 
the title of a pure breed as any other variety. In fact, every variety may be called 
a pure breed that reproduces its own likeness true to form and colour. 
“ The statement that Brahmas, Black Hamburgs, Dorkings, &c., are pure 
breeds is meaningless, if it is intended to imply anything more than that they will 
reproduce their like, which a mongrel cross between two distinct varieties cannot 
be depended on doing. There is no doubt but that many of our varieties have 
been improved by crossing with others. The cross of the bulldog, thrown in and 
bred out again, has given stamina to the greyhound; and although generally 
denied, there is no doubt but that the Cochin has in many cases been employed 
to give size to the Dorking. In the same manner new permanent varieties of 
pigeons are often produced, generally coming to us from Germany, in which 
country the fanciers are much more experimental than in England, where they 
adhere to the old breeds with a true John Bull, or bulldog like, tenacity/’ 
If we apply this reasoning to the fowls at present under discussion, there can 
be no doubt whatever that Brahmas have as good a title to the designation of a 
pure breed as any other variety whatever, inasmuch as they breed perfectly true 
to form, general characteristics and colour ; no more than this can be said of any 
variety, even the oldest of which we have any record ; and it is comparatively 
immaterial whether they originated ten or ten hundred years since. 
Having given, as far as practicable, the history of the origin of Brahmas, it is 
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