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148

THE BEE,

OR

LITERARY WEEKLY INTELLIGNCER,

FOR

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2. 1793

THOUGHTS ON WHAT IS CALLED VARIETIES, OR DIFFERENT BREEDS OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS, SUGGESTED BY READING DR PALLAS'S ACCOUNT OF RUSSIAN SHEEP.

Continued from p. 124.

On the other hand. Is there any thing inconsis

tent with that wisdom and beneficence so universally conspicuous in the system of this universe, or any thing that contradicts the general experience of mankind, and the facts that fall under his observation, in adopting the hypothesis, that a diversity of animals may have been originally formed with discriminative faculties and propensities fitted for the various purposes required of them in the general system, and separated from each other, though not by unsurmountable barriers, yet by such peculiar propensities as might serve to preserve the kinds sufficiently distinct to answer all the purposes reVOL. XVII.

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quired of them? The different breeds of dogs, for example, though not prevented by any physical barrier from intermingling, are yet so distinctly sepa rated from each other by certain peculiarities, as naturally to induce one class to associate together, in a state of freedom, in preference to others. The hound, for example, would naturally associate with other hounds who pursued the game, at a slow pace, by the sense of smelling, in preference to any other clafs of dogs. Should a grehound encroach upon this pack, he would so often destroy the game, and eat it before their approach, that they would find it necefsary for their own preservation to drive him away, or tear him in pieces. Grehounds would as naturally associate with other grehounds for the same reason of mutual convenience; and so of other varieties. Thus would a distinction be formed, which in a state of nature would tend to preserve the several breeds uncontaminated. This purpose would be still strengthened by the acquaintance formed by the young of each tribe, with the mother and others of the same kind, with whom they were accustomed to associate from their infancy, and with whom we know they preserve habits of intimacy and kindness through life. These few particulars, without taking notice of many others, (as the size, which alone would effectually prevent many of the breeds from ever intermingling,) are sufficient to fhow, that in a state of nature, the different varieties of the same species of animals might be preserved distinct perhaps for ever. In short we do actually know of two instances where the breeds

of two pure varieties of animals have been preserv ed since the creation of the world till the present hour, distinct from all others of the same kind, and uncontaminated in a wild state, merely by the peculiar instincts with which they are naturally endowed. These are the wolf and the fox, which though ranked by Buffon, and most other naturalists, as distinct species, are now proved, by the most decisive experiments, conducted under the eye of the ingenious Mr John Hunter of London, to be only varieties of the dog kind, which may be brought to intercopulate with others of the same species, and by that means produce a mongrel breed, participating as usual of the qualities of both parents, and equally prolific as others of the same kind.*

In regard to sheep, the varieties of this useful class of animals seem to be considerable, and their natural propensities so discriminated as to be admirably calculated for adapting them to different situations on this globe, so as to make them a very universal inhabitant of it: and these are so diversified as to habits and instincts, as to preserve the principal breeds very distinct, if left in a state of nature. The argali, strong, active, nimble, delights to live among rocks and inaccessible places; while the large sluggish breed of fheep, such as those

* Vide Philosophical Transactions, Anno, 1792, and miscellaneous essays by Mr John Hunter, 4to 1793. London. The same able naturalist has obtained a prolific breed between the common cow and buffalo; which affords another proof of the fact specified in the text. This will be more particularly mentioned in a future paper.

Oct. z. that have been taken into keeping by our country. man, Bakewell, could never ascend these steeps, bue are well calculated to consume the produce of the fertile plains; there is therefore no chance that these two breeds would ever intermingle, if left entirely to themselves. The last of these two varieties has indeed been long domesticated by man, as being utterly incapable of withdrawing itself from his sway, though the first has been able to preserve its independence till the present hour in some of the mountainous and least inhabited districts on the globe.

These two are perhaps the most opposite extremes of the varieties of fheep; others are separated by lefser distinctions. The small nimble light bodied sheep like those of Shetland, being capable of undergoing much travel, are fitted for open hilly pastures, where a wide range is necefsary before they can pick up a scanty subsistence; these are therefore to be found chiefly in barren regions, thinly inhabited by man, where of course they enjoy a freedom approaching towards the state of wildnefs; while the weightier fat rumped fheep of Asia, require a richer pasture, and plants of more luxuriant growth. Thus the different breeds would naturally separate from each other; and being once separated, that desire which all gregarious animals, at least, have to associate with those of their acquaintance in preference to all others, would keep them so distinct as never to be in danger of losing the breed, while left to themselves.

It is unnecefsary here to pursue this disquisition through a more minute investigation of particulars. But it is of importance to take particular notice of a very ingenious remark of Dr Pallas, as it tends to fhow the immense power conferred upon man by the creator for the melioration of the objects put within his reach, and adapting them for the particular purposes he may have in view for his own emolument; if he chooses, by a patient steadiness of conduct, to properly avail himself of those faculties that heaven has conferred upon him; and accounts for some particular diversities of animals not before enumerated.

Dr Pallas in the foregoing efsay has brought together many facts which tend to fhow, that although any one variety of domestic animals, if kept free from intermixing with any other variety of the same species, will in general, propagate the same kind with little material change, yet that if from unknown or accidental causes, an individual fhall be produced pofsefsing some unusual peculiarities, that individual has a tendency to produce others resembling itself in a certain degree, even in its individual peculiarities; so that if a male and female fhould at the same time be met with, which both pofsefsed the same kind of individual peculiarity, these, if made to breed together, will produce a distinct breed, which will, by hereditary descent, render in some degree permanent, that peculiarity which was at first accidental; and this effect will be rendered the more certain, if care be taken at all times to separate from the breeding stock those individuals which chance

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