No, we may or may not be wrong in our idea that the great chains of turf genealogy should be kept clear and distinct-we may or may not be wrong in our notion that the most likely way to ensure present and permanent success is to breed from two branches of the same family tree, as indicated in the notable examples we have specified above; but of the other proposition we have laid down with regard to horses unknown to fame, or whose parents are unconnected with the direct line of the great catenary of turf celebrities we have drawn out at length, being utterly useless for breeding purposes, we have not the shadow of a doubt. Every page of the Racing Calendar proves it beyond dispute, all experience endorses the conclusion, and the sooner it is recognised as a leading principle by breeders, the better will it be for themselves, and the better will it be for the turf!

But if this be the case-if our surmise be correct, that breeding from the most noted branches of the same stock is the most likely way of developing to the fullest extent the natural capabilities of the race-if it be true that the close affinity of family relationship, so long as not actually incestuous, has no deteriorating effect upon the offspring—if pureness of breed be the first essential qualification in every stage of the process of improving and maintaining any given breed of the animal creation-in short, if our interpretation of the divine command, "Let it bring forth and multiply after his kind," be correct-then it appears to us this further inference must needs obtrude itself upon our notice, and we are bound to conclude that no cross-bred stock can ever hope to arrive at perfection, or maintain the position to which it may possibly temporarily attain for any lengthened period of years.

We have already shown that amongst animals feræ naturæ there is no such thing as a cross-breed, and that, even when chance or design has produced a hybrid in those under the care of man, the breed is either restricted to the immediate produce, or dies out in one or two generations at the most, from sheer impotence and necessity. The reason evidently is, because it is a direct infringement of the divine will, and utterly at variance with the uniform laws of Nature. Why man should claim any exemption from this plain, universal law, and endeavour to join together what an all-wise Creator has manifestly designed should be kept asunder, and expect a blessing on the attempt, we cannot understand. The same reason which applies to the one case must surely apply to the other; and, notwithstanding all the efforts of organised societies offering prizes for the breeding of crossbred stock, we may safely challenge the world yet to exhibit a single successful instance of a permanently-established new breed brought about by such means. If it be said that the Leicesters amongst sheep and the Shorthorns amongst cattle are notable instances to the contrary, I reply that their real origin is very doubtful; but, if they are the results of crossing two or more different breeds, yet neither have yet established their claim to be considered permanent, successful breeds of our land; that both have already exhibited unmistakeable signs of degeneracy and decay-viz., tenderness of constitution, frequent barrenness, and difficulty to rear their young; and that many of us may yet live to see the day when, notwithstanding their vaunted excellence, and the numerous prizes they annually receive at Smithfield, "Ichabod" shall have been written on their name, and the old

despised Longhorn, whose brindled hide clad our forefathers when the Romans first set foot upon our shore, and a pair of whose enormous horns, taken from an animal bred or fed by a member of my family, in the lordship of Firsby, one hundred and ten years ago, still decorate the walls of my mother's house at Billesden, to testify to their gigantic stature, and pure breeds of which may still be found in the same county, shall again have taken the place which their antagonists have usurped for a time. No: we don't believe such a thing possible as the permanent establishment of any cross-bred stock, whatever may be its excellence for a time. The thing, at best, can be regarded only as a temporary freak of Nature, and must, from the necessity of the case, do one of these two things-either absolutely die out of itself, from the innate inability of its representatives to continue the breed, or else be absorbed in the stronger of the two breeds with which it was originally begun.

If any one wants confirmation of this fact or proposition, we have a strong illustration in the case of man, the lord and master of the whole animal creation. In no country, at no period of the world's history, has a mixed race, cut off from the primitive stock, been able to maintain its ground. Where, we may pointedly ask, is that glorious race of godlike men whom Phidias carved, and of whom Homer sung, whose majestic forms and matchless features, blue eyes and golden hair, were evidently due to the result of a cross with Scandinavian blood? Where is now the well-greaved Greek, and the children of his fairhaired, blue-eyed bride of heroic days? They have died out, according to Nature's invariable law, never to reappear. Where is the posterity of the Spaniard and his Indian spouse in the New World, for a time the most lovely of their race, and the most promising to continue of any that were ever seen under the sun? Scarcely a vestige remains, though little more than three cnturies have elapsed since Columbus first stepped upon its shore. Everywhere we behold the primitive races regaining their lost ground, and the mixed peoples obeying this one universal law. In England the Flemish races are fast gaining on the Saxon.

All traces of the Scandinavian and Celtic seem to have left Greece. The mingled Italian races, the product of so many others, seem fast reverting to a primitive race which occupied Italy before Rome was founded! On the other hand, wherever the race has been kept pure, it remains stedfast and unmoved through all time, and in the face of the greatest obstacles. Witness the Saxon, the Celt, the Sclavonian, the Sarmatian (in Europe), the Chinaman, the Gipsy, the Jew (in Asia), the Copt, the Hottentot, the Bosjeman, the Negro (in Africa), the Red Indian (in America). These each remain as vigorous and perfect in themselves as when the oldest historians wrote, or as when the first conquerors invaded their land. After thousands of years, they hold on their way in the face of the greatest obstacles, and yet show no symptom of decay-a conclusive proof, we think, of both the propositions we have advanced, that, on the one hand, no cross-bred race can maintain its ground for any lengthened period of years, and, on the other, that purity of race is the one great essential in any breed of animals we may wish either to continue or improve.

SPORTS ON HORSEBACK AT THE RIVER PLATE.

In a land of horsemen, sports and games on horseback will prevail. Horse-racing is an institution of the people of the La Plata States, from the peon who matches one of his horses (and all have several) against a comrade's for 10p. (1s. 6d.) to the estanciero or aficionado racing man and trainer, who will match his favourite for two or three hundred pounds. Racing, like all other things in the country, has undergone its changes-at least among certain classes; and near to the chief cities there are circular racecourses, grand stands, and all the paraphernalia of British innovation; but in the campo the old style prevails.

The horses are ridden bareback; the distances various, short ones prevailing-300 to 600 or 800 yards. Two horses of renown are matched to run, say 600 or 800 yards, "estilo de plais" (custom of the country). From far and near men of all grades assemble; the justice of the peace, who holds the "articles" of the match, presides as umpire, surrounded by chiefs and generals, estancieros, squatters, and gaucho peons, to the number of several hundred horsemen. There are caparisoned steeds, sleek and fat, with holiday trappings, silver headstalls, silver chain, or silver-mounted reins of finely-plaited hide, silver-mounted "recados" (native saddles), silver embossed stirrups, and silk embroidered saddle-cloths. Of the ridders, some have costly ponchos, silver-ringed "ribinques" (flat-lashed whip) of finely-plaited hide, and huge silver spurs-beau-ideals of estancieros of the olden time-while the gaucho haragan (roving gaucho) may be seen on his "caballo flaco" (lean horse), with seedy "recado," rawhide reins, and huge iron spurs of two to three inch rowels. Many bring their "parejeros" (racehorses) for the chance of "matches," many of which are made during the day. The horses of the great race appear on the ground, led by their trainers, and having on their muzzles. The would-be critics of the crowd comment upon the condition of their favourites. The ground is measured out. Some of the most interested in the race and the betting dismount, spread out their saddle-cloths and ponchos on the ground, near to the starting-post, and recline thereon. Weights having been adjusted, the order to mount is given. The ridders, stripped to the shirt and barefooted (boots are not permitted, lest "undue " advantage should be taken of heel and toe), having a handkerchief tied closely round the head, swing themselves lightly into their seats. The two horses are brought together and stand side by side; they are then walked forward a few paces and stand again, both riders and horses eyeing each other with the greatest keenness. This process is continued for more or less time, the 66 partidos" increasing in length, and the speed gradually warming up the horses. They start now from the post at a bound-the two horses, with pricked ears and dilated eyes and nostrils, leaning against each other-and are pulled up within their own length after going thirty, forty, or fifty yards; this is continued, increasing the distances of the starts or "partidos," until both riders consent to "go;" they challenge each other, and tempt each other on, as they find their horses

going-"Vamos! vamos! (Let us go); but it is no start until both riders say "Vamanos" (We will go), and both strike their horses. This they will not do until they come to think that each has somewhat "cut down" his antagonist, or that their horses have got into their best strides and are exactly abreast. Meanwhile betting goes on~~ horsemen thread their way among the crowd, holding up their money -10 dols. on the bay, 50 dols. on the brown, or it may be 1,000 fr. or 5,000 fr., or a "point" of cattle-50 or 500-or carts and oxen, silver spurs and stirrups, the "ricado," or the horse itself on which the gaucho rides, being wagered on the issue.

The cry is that they "go," and the crowd moves on towards the winning-post, where the justice of the peace (or the appointed judge) takes his stand. Offers to bet are now heard everywhere among the crowd of horsemen, and the "money covered "-for this is the moment when the real business is done. They are off! We hear the sound of the "ribinques" as both strike their horses, as on they come, nose and nose, stride for stride, pressing against and trying to force each other off the course, while the riders strive to get their legs each in front of the other's, or the heel in the chest of his antagonist's horse. Thwack, thwack, thwack-the smack of the flat, raw hide thong of the ribinques falling fast on the quarters of the horses. Nose and nose they come ; but lo! one suddenly "shuts up," drops back, and the other comes on with a lead of half-a-length to a length, passes the winning-post, pulls up, and dismounts from the panting animal. Then there is a regular Babel. The loser also dismounts, walking crestfallen; he has been over-matched this time-his antagonist has been the more dexterous, and planted a well-directed "kick" just behind the elbow-joint and over the region of the heart-the cause of the sudden "failing" of his horse in the race. "Estilo del pais!" custom of the country! which admits of that sort of thing except when special provisions are made against it in the articles or contract, which special clauses have been much more general since the "English races "have become an institution. Now come many matches, and sweepstakes, for 10, 20, 50, or 500 dols. When these are over, the crowd break up and scatter over the plain, racing, shouting, "pechando " (running the horses breast on against each other), bounding away at speed, and pulling up, and turning in a space little exceeding what could be covered with a hide, &c. -equestrian frolic in all forms.

If it be a festive day as well as a match of racing, the "sortija" attracts, and the gay young "estancieros" or the gauchos tilt for prizes at the ring. A decorated arch is fixed up, from the centre of which a ring is hung-if for the young gentry a gold one, for the " paisanos silver or brass one, the size of a finger-ring. The horsemen have short sticks (about twelve inches) decorated with gay ribbons. At each end of the tilting-ground, the arch being in the centre, are ranged the players. A signal is given, and at a bound in full career dashes forth a horseman, straight for the arch, his right arm raised, and the stick directed towards the ring. Click! he touches the edge, but takes it not; he reaches the opposite barrier, pulls up his horse on its haunches, and brings him sharp round in the space of a hide. Then out darts another, and another. “Viva!”—this time the stick is held aloft ; it has been inserted in the ring, which is brought away on the stick. The

successful tilter curvets and caracoles his horse, bounds, and pulls up, and bounds again; and, if there are ladies present, brings him sharp up within a foot of some favoured dame, before whom, bowing, he lowers his stick (perhaps decorated by the fair one), from which she takes the ring. Instantaneously the horse is wheeled and curvetted into the ranks again, and so the game goes on. I have enjoyed many an hour at this exciting game on a high-mettled and well-trained horse. At a little distance smoke is wreathing over the plain, and mounting towards the azure-vaulted firmament. Thither let us go. We find several gaucho peons, with charred sticks in their hands, pushing red embers together, and a savoury odour salutes us. Over the red embers a dark mass is partly suspended and partly rests-it is a "vaquellona -a young cow roasted in the hide. Silver-mounted knives are drawn from silver or silver-mounted sheaths, thrust in silken sashes and embroidered belts, and seething pieces are cut from the roasting mass, of which all partake. The sward is smooth, and spirits high; bright eyes and strains of lively music lure us to trip the "light fantistic toe." Hurrah! for the days of yore !" asi somos todos."—Latham.

TWO TALES OF ONE

SHARK.

It certainly was rather warm that March morning at Aspinwall, the Atlantic station of the Isthmus of Panama.

So thought the newly-arrived passengers per Ariel, at all events, having left New York a week before in a severe frost, with snow a foot deep in the streets, and a keen wintry blast howling through the icecased rigging of the steamer. What a contrast in so short a time! Here at Aspinwall the heat was quite tropical, speedily compelling Frank and me to invest a couple of dollars in broad-leaf Panama hats, under the protection of which we lounged about the amusing little settlement, greatly appreciating such novelties as cocoa palms, bananas, cotton plants, and other tropical vegetation; the well-coloured" physiognomies and somewhat picturesque attire of the half-Indian, halfnigger natives; the lazy turtle basking on the surface of the big tanks near the landing-stage; and the abundance of oranges, cocoa-nuts, pine-apples, iced lemonade, delicious cigars, and other open-air refreshments, offered at a very reasonable price to the new arrivals.

The impulse for thorough ablution which comes naturally to an Englishman after a voyage, either by sea or land, led my comrade and myself very soon to seek out a convenient spot for a bathe.

At a short distance from the end of the main street, near a little plantation where a lot of American fellow-passengers were popping away most assiduously at marks with their newly-regained revolvers,* was a nice-looking beach of mingled sand, shingle, and rough coral, and on a log which lay there conveniently I quickly deposited my

* During the war all passengers on board merchant ships and steamers had to give up their weapons to the care of the captain or mate during the voyage. This measure was to guard against any possible surprise of Northern ships, by a lot of well-armed Confederates embarking as ordinary emigrants.