Oct. 16; diversity of kinds. And though after they come under the power of man, he may produce certain lefser variations, that may be deemed a kind of varieties; yet as these his artificial productions, are never any thing else than either small modifications of a particular breed, which still retains its general qualities distinct, or an evident compound of two kinds already known, we may in general conclude: that as certain breeds of sheep, we will say, which are placed at a great distance from each other, and distinguishable by very striking peculiarities, are to be found in situations where the hand of man can scarcely be supposed ever to have had a preceptible share in altering them by culture, there have been originally a considerable number of varieties of this useful species of animal, which were endowed with different qualities, instincts, powers, and propensities; and that it behoveş us now to ascertain, by careful observation, and accurate experiment, the distinguishable peculiarities of each variety, if ever we hope to draw the utmost pofsible benefit from the rearing of it.

The practical inferences from the whole of this investigation then are: That there are to be found dispersed over this globe, many varieties of every species of useful domestic animal: that the particular distinguishing peculiarities of each cannot be known, until they fhall have all been examined by persons of skill; and accurate comparative trials made, to ascertain all these peculiarities: we can never therefore say that we have reached nearly the ultimate perfection that this department in economics is naturally susceptible of, till this thall first have been done.

If this were once done, it would not be a matter of very great difficulty, to judge with a probable degree of certainty, of the means of producing a mongrel breed that should tend to augment the peculiar qualities that were wanted at the time*.

And if both these improvements were effected, the ultimate degree of perfection in any one respect can

* It has been often afserted with great positiveness, and is very generally believed, that an infertile breed of animals produced be tween two distinct species of animals, as the mule procreated between the horse and the afs, or the jumarre between the cattle tribe and the horse, pofsefs qualities that render them much more valuable than either of the parents by themselves; certain qualities indeed that seem to be sui generis, and not merely a compound of those of the two parent animals. I pretend not to say that this is certain, but if it be, it may afford reason to believe that mongrels, produced between two varieties of the same species, may in some respects pofsefs not only the compounded qualities resulting from a mixture of the two, but some other peculiarities superadded, that may render them still more serviceable to man.

In confirmation of this opinion, I have, since the above was written, met with the following remark, in a book entitled a general view of the agriculture of the county of Middlesex, drawn up by Thomas Baird, for the consideration of the board of agriculture and internal improvement." Speaking of the improvements by the celebrated Mr John Hunter at Earls court, in the parish of Kinsington, he says p. 42.

"This gentleman has at present a very beautiful little cow from a bufaloe and an Alderny cow. This animal is in some measure kept for her beauty and what adds to it, he is always plump and fat. whether in summer or winter, and upon much less food than would be sufficiect to support a beast of the same size of the ordinary breed. I do not find that the exceeds in quantity of milk, but the quality is wery good, and it is certain fhe can be fattened at much less expence than an ordinary cow of the same size."

If this should be a general rule, and not a particular exception to it, it would be a very beneficial improvement indeed. Farther experiments must ascertain this point.

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only be attained by a continued careful and uninterrupted attention to the individuals of the breeding stock, that with a distinguishing eye every valuable peculiarity which accidentally arises, may be instantly siezed and perpetuated, and every hurtful sin gularity, be carefully banished from the breeding flock: Among the females this is of great use; but among the males, the importance of it is proportionally greater for a female can only rear one, or at most two young in a season, so that the flock is either benefited or hurt to that amount by her progeny; but above an hundred may in some cases spring from a single male, and of course the flock will either be de teriorated or improved in the same ratio, by a judicious choice of the male or the reverse.

*

*No attempt that I know of has ever been made in practice to obtain the improvements that might be gained under the two first heads, unless the trials now making by the society for improving British wool, and those made by some enterprising individuals, as Warren Hastings Esq, Sir Joseph Banks, Mr John Hunter, Thomas Johnes Esq, M. P. and a few others, who have of late imported from distant regions some valuable domestic animals not hitherto known in this country, not for the purpose of being led about as a fhow, to amuse an idle curiosity, but for the purpose of propagating their breed, and thus giving room for comparative experiments between these and other animals of the same kind, may be so called; and the alterations that have been made by importing horses into England, and breeding from them, which give ample encouragement to follow a similar plan for improving other breeds of domestic animals.

With regard to the last mode of improvement, that by selection only of the best individuals of the same kind, and breeding from these, the practice of Mr Bakewell, all of whose experiments are reducible to this clafs, abundantly shows the amazing lengths to which improvements may be carried by this kind of attention continued for a long time. This man, whose name will long be mentioned with respect among agricultural improvers, raised his flock by this means

ON THE MOST STRIKING AND CURIOUS PHENOMENA OF NATURAL HISTORY. BY ARCTICUS.

Continued from p. 201.

Botany

Is the other subject I proposed as a source of amusement to your readers; and in fact, the order, arrangement and laws of the vegetable, are not lefs admirable than those of the animal, kingdom. Here the wonder and astonishment of man is equally raised, on seeing something like instinct, governing the movement of plants, which have their regular hours of sleeping and waking, like animated beings, with a certain degree of sensibility, and even predilection for particular objects, positions &c. How are we astonished likewise at the wonderful provision made for the dispersion of seeds, when we see that to

alone in the course of a few years to such a degree of superiority above others, that spirited farmers in his neighbourhood seeing the benefits that would accrue to them from pofsefsing a superior breed thus improved, as early as possible, hired the use of some of his rams for one season only, at great prices. I have been credibly informed that for one particular ram has been drawn t the rate of ONE THOUSAND POUNDS STERLING, in one season. Foreigners will, from hence, with astonishment perceive the energy which the hope of gain inspires in a free nation, where personal property is entirely secured by the mild protection of the law impartially administered. This ought to be considered as a lecture in political economy of infinite importance. “He that hath cars to hear let him hear," that his understanding may be enlightened!

138 genera something like wings are given, to facilitate their being carried by the winds to distant parts. The seeds of 29 more are darted to a great distance from elastic seed vefsels. 50 genera which require dung for their cultivation, are furnished with little hooks by which they adhere to the coats of animals, and are carried to their place of abode, where they find the required soil. 193 genera are planted by beasts and birds, often passing through them with little detriment to their vegetating powers, particularly the berry and stone fruit kinds; even man himself, plants some of the last, in a rich soil, independent of his labours in the field or garden.

It is in this manner that fresh dung will fill the cleaneft ground with plants, which possibly had just been rooted out with much labour, and it is likewise thus, that oats will be sown in a field of rye by a flight of larks, to confirm in appearance the short lived ridiculous hypothesis of the transmutation of grain, which has had its supporters like every other reverie of the human brain.

Other seeds, like those of a species of century, are 'covered with erect bristles, and thereby have a sort of creeping motion, insomuch that no art can confine them in the hand, sleeve, or bosom.

The seeds of the equisetum or fern, present a most curious phenomenon when viewed through a microscope on a piece of paper, as they are seen to leap over minute obstacles, so as to be taken for cheese mites, by those unacquainted with the curious fact. Nothing but the walls of a barn can pre