devoted to this subject, and to inspect
the animals. Breeders habitually speak of an animal's organisation as
something quite plastic, which they can model almost as they please. If I
had space I could quote numerous passages to this effect from highly
competent authorities. Youatt, who was probably better acquainted with the
works of agriculturists than almost any other individual, and who was
himself a very good judge of an animal, speaks of the principle of
selection as "that which enables the agriculturist, not only to modify the
character of his flock, but to change it altogether. It is the magician's
wand, by means of which he may summon into life whatever form and mould he
pleases." Lord Somerville, speaking of what breeders have done for sheep,
says:--"It would seem as if they had chalked out upon a wall a form perfect
in itself, and then had given it existence." That most skilful breeder, Sir
John Sebright, used to say, with respect to pigeons, that "he would produce
any given feather in three years, but it would take him six years to obtain
head and beak." In Saxony the importance of the principle of selection in
regard to merino sheep is so fully recognised, that men follow it as a
trade: the sheep are placed on a table and are studied, like a picture by a
connoisseur; this is done three times at intervals of months, and the sheep
are each time marked and classed, so that the very best may ultimately be
selected for breeding.

What English breeders have actually effected is proved by the enormous
prices given for animals with a good pedigree; and these have now been
exported to almost every quarter of the world. The improvement is by no
means generally due to crossing different breeds; {32} all the best
breeders are strongly opposed to this practice, except sometimes amongst
closely allied sub-breeds. And when a cross has been made, the closest
selection is far more indispensable even than in ordinary cases. If
selection consisted merely in separating some very distinct variety, and
breeding from it, the principle would be so obvious as hardly to be worth
notice; but its importance consists in the great effect produced by the
accumulation in one direction, during successive generations, of
differences absolutely inappreciable by an uneducated eye--differences
which I for one have vainly attempted to appreciate. Not one man in a
thousand has accuracy of eye and judgment sufficient to become an eminent
breeder.