y crosses between the most distinct
varieties embraced within a single species, to establish his law. The
examples adduced are chiefly from the former. The _mule_ is the
progeny of the male ass and the mare; the _hinny_ that of the horse
and the she ass. Both hybrids are the produce of the same set of
animals. They differ widely, however, in their respective
characters--the mule in all that relates to its external characters
having the distinctive features of the ass,--the hinny, in the same
respects having all the distinctive features of the horse; while in
all that relates to the internal organs and vital qualities, the mule
partakes of the character of the horse, and the hinny of those of the
ass. Mr. Orton says--"The mule, the produce of the male ass and mare,
is essentially a _modified ass_: the ears are those of an ass somewhat
shortened; the mane is that of the ass, erect; the tail is that of an
ass; the skin and color are those of an ass somewhat modified; the
legs are slender and the hoofs high, narrow and contracted, like those
of an ass. In fact, in all these respects it is an ass somewhat
modified. The body and barrel, however, of the mule are round and
full, in which it differs from the ass and resembles the mare.

The hinny, on the other hand, the produce of the stallion and she ass,
is essentially a _modified horse_. The ears are those of a horse
somewhat lengthened; the mane flowing; the tail bushy, like that of
the horse; the skin is finer, like that of the horse, and the color
varies also, like the horse; the legs are stronger and the hoofs broad
and expanded like those of the horse. In fact, in all these respects
it is a horse somewhat modified. The body and barrel, however, of the
hinny are flat and narrow, in which it differs from the horse and
resembles the she ass.

A very curious circumstance pertains to the voice of the mule and the
hinny. The mule _brays_, the hinny _neighs_. The why and wherefore of
this is a perfect mystery until we come to apply the knowledge
afforded us by the law before given. The male gives the locomotive
organs, and the muscles are amongst these; the muscles are the organs
which modulate the voice of the animal; the mule has the muscular
structure of its sire, and brays; the hinny has the muscular structure
of its sire, and neighs."

In connexion with these examples Mr. Orton refers to a special feature
seen equally in the two instances, and which seems at first sight