IMPROVEMENT OE HORSES. 
169 
generations, to find no trace, or least no palpable mark, of that 
one upon 'which the experiment was made. Still it remains 
detectable in all the progeny, and now and then crops out 
boldly, and declares its supremacy still. 
Thus the African, which of all races seems the most readily 
to fade out, may be mixed with Caucasian, the Mongolian and 
the aboriginal, and subjected to circumstances totally different 
from those to which it was native, and still the close observer 
will detect the blood ; and by and by, when the remote victim 
of that debasement begins to feel that the origin of his family 
is beyond all further suspicion, the crisped hair and thick lips 
show themselves in their midst, and suddenly confront all cher¬ 
ished hopes. 
Here arises the difficult question : “ What is the law of 
improvability ?” Shall we breed in direct line, so as to devel- 
ope the desirable traits of the parents ? or, shall we, by cross¬ 
ing, aim at the introduction of new elements into the family, 
and the possible production of qualities which, before, had no 
existence in either of the parents ? 
Now, this is a question which has vexed physiologists and 
ethnologists from time immemorial, and is yet unsettled. 
The history of the human race would seem to favor the latter 
theory—that of crossing ; while the experience of certain care¬ 
ful breeders of horses and cattle is equally favorable to the 
system of “ breeding in and in.” * * * 
But it is not proper that this complex, philosophical question 
should be discussed here and now. 
One thing is sure : improvement requires the use of the best 
elements. The best results in breeding horses can only be 
obtained by breeding to the best horses and from the best 
mares . * 
The superior quality of which sex is the most essential, is * 
also a mooted question among scientific men. I know the pop¬ 
ular opinion is, that if the stallion is good, it makes but little 
difference what the character of the mare may be—an opinion 
which I have never received, and am becoming every day more 
22 
