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that this process, continued during centuries, would improve and modify
breed, in the same way as Bakewell, Collins, &c., by this very same process, only carried on more methodically, did greatly modify, even during their
lifetimes, the forms and qualities of their cattle. Slow and insensible changes of this kind
never be recognised unless actual
or careful drawings of the breeds in question
been made long ago, which
serve for comparison. In some cases, however,
or but little changed individuals of the same breed
→may be found
in less civilised districts, where the breed has been less improved. There is reason to believe that King Charles's spaniel has been unconsciously modified to a large extent since the time of that monarch. Some highly competent authorities are convinced that the setter is directly derived from the spaniel, and has probably been slowly altered from it. It is known that the English pointer has been greatly changed within the last century, and in this case the change has, it is believed, been chiefly effected by crosses with the
but what concerns us is, that the change has been effected unconsciously and gradually, and yet so effectually, that, though the old Spanish pointer certainly came from Spain, Mr. Borrow has not seen, as I am informed by him, any native dog in Spain like our pointer. |
