sed since the
earliest records.[601] As each new variety is produced, the earlier,
intermediate, and less valuable forms will be neglected, and perish. When a
breed, from not being valued, is kept in small numbers, its extinction
almost inevitably follows sooner or later, either from accidental causes of
destruction or from close interbreeding; and this is an event which, in the
case of well-marked breeds, excites attention. The birth or production of a
new domestic race is so slow a process that it {245} escapes notice; its
death or destruction is comparatively sudden, is often recorded, and when
too late sometimes regretted.

Several authors have drawn a wide distinction between artificial and
natural races. The latter are more uniform in character, possessing in a
high degree the character of natural species, and are of ancient origin.
They are generally found in less civilised countries, and have probably
been largely modified by natural selection, and only to a small extent by
man's unconscious and methodical selection. They have, also, during a long
period, been directly acted on by the physical conditions of the countries
which they inhabit. The so-called artificial races, on the other hand, are
not so uniform in character; some have a semi-monstrous character, such as
"the wry-legged terriers so useful in rabbit-shooting,"[602] turnspit dogs,
ancon sheep, niata oxen, Polish fowls, fantail-pigeons, &c.; their
characteristic features have generally been acquired suddenly, though
subsequently increased in many cases by careful selection. Other races,
which certainly must be called artificial, for they have been largely
modified by methodical selection and by crossing, as the English
race-horse, terrier-dogs, the English game-cock, Antwerp carrier-pigeons,
&c., nevertheless cannot be said to have an unnatural appearance; and no
distinct line, as it seems to me, can be drawn between natural and
artificial races.

It is not surprising that domestic races should generally present a
different aspect from natural species. Man selects and propagates
modifications solely for his own use or fancy, and not for the creature's
own good. His attention is struck by strongly marked modifications, which
have appeared suddenly, due to some great disturbing cause in the
organisation. He attends almost exclusively to external characters; and
when he succeeds in modifying internal organs,--when for instance he
reduces the bones and o