PROSPECTS OF AGRICULTURE, 
569 
sent ones. We only recommend, so far as we have a voice in 
the matter, that the changes shall be in a peaceful, and not 
a belligerent direction. Nature has provided animals with 
Aveapons of offence and defence—has given, as the poet says, 
‘•horns to bulls and hoofs to horses.^^ Let nothing fresh be 
added in this line. But the breeder will probably take care 
of this in his act of “ creation.’^ He has the matter in his 
own hand. It will be his own fault if his own last-contrived 
bull tosses him, and if his thoroughbred, upon whom he has 
exhausted all the powers of the plastic art, is found endowed 
Avith demoniacal powers of kicking. All this we hope Avill 
be provided for. We only want to observe noAv that this is 
certainly an amazing leap for agriculture as a science and 
profession. It Avas for a long time a sufficiently torpid 
affair; but when graziers Avield powers “allied to creation,” 
introduce a ncAv plastic life, and give us an embodiment of 
Mr. Darwdn^s theory of the origin of species, this is indeed a 
flight for agriculture, and she touches the empyrean. 
The truth is, there is all the difference between saying that 
Mr. Darwin, in constructing his theory, has made use of 
agricultural breeders, and that agricultural breeders can 
make use of Mr. Darwin’s theory. Mr. Darwin found certain 
facts supplied him in the experience of cattle-breeding, par¬ 
ticular changes Avhich took place by mixing different varieties, 
and the production of neAv and improved forms by means of 
judicious combinations steadily persevered in. And upon 
these and other facts of the same kind he founds a theory of 
the unlimited transmutation of species, and the derivation of 
all existing animal forms from one or two original types. 
The cattle-breeder then, it is true, has assisted him in con¬ 
structing a theory Avhich, Avhether true or. not, is the most 
astonishing that has come out in recent times. But Ave do 
not see Avhat possible assistance Mr. Darwin gives the cattle- 
breeder. He can only give him back again the facts Avhich 
the cattle-breeder gave to him, and Avhich the latter Avas in 
full possession of before any theory Avas founded upon them. 
The agriculturist can only go upon the basis of his own 
familiar and hereditary facts. If he attempt to attach himself 
to the speculation which has been built upon them, he Avil 1 
only be carried up into the clouds. If he begin to think of 
transmuting species, he Avill find himself on a very Avrong 
scent. He may be quite sure that he is no magician or 
enchanter; but if he can put Mr. Darwin’s theory into prac¬ 
tice, he is certainly the most Avonderful magician that has yet 
appeared in the Avorld. He is, indeed, a rural god, tlic 
“mighty Pan” come back again among us. This is too 
great a flight for agriculture. She had better confine herself 
XXXVI. 58 
