Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1882-05-13
More Twins.

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There is something either in the
atmosphere or water, or both, of this
country which supplies want long
felt by stock raisers (not the bulls of
the stock board, hut dealers in live
stock. Men of science have for
wears been aware that animals and
plants undergo change IN their
general characteristics in the course
of few generations if the conditions
surrounding them are altered or il
they are taken to another place where
atmosphere, climate and food are
different. New conditions produce
new forms and methods of existence
better fitted to engage in the strug-
gle for life under the change of cir
C, instances. Sometimes the con-
ditions are such that living is made
easier for the plant or animal, as the
case may be, and then increase of
propagation gradually ensues with
correspondingly gradual change in
form and habits. These changes
come at first as exceptions. but the
frequency increases until they form
the rule, and the old forms and meth
DDS by degrees become exceptions
and finally. during the existence of
the new order of Thugs, nature absn-
dons them entirely.
The coz usually gives birth to but
one calf, and twin calves have hlther-
to been considered LuSus nature.
Lately, however, several instances OF
natures propensity to accommodate
herself in her operations to the sur
roundings have been noted in this
neighborhood. Several of the
milky mothers have surprised their
owners by the unusual number OF
their offspring. The Augmented re.
production was not, however, at first
accompanied by any noticeable alter
alton of form, but few days ago
another COW, this time belonging to
Mr.. A.C. Perkins, at New Jerusalem,
obeyed the impulse given by the
favorable conditions for maintaining
life and gave birth to twins, and the
change in form to be expected has
occurred. One of these calves does
not devate in any particular from
the old form, but the other shows
that nature has begun the work of de-
velopment which will better adapt
her handiwork to its surroundings.
The circumstance that there were
twins, and that one only was permit
ted to receive the benefits of adj
vanced development, accords with
natures undertaking rule, that new
species are only produced by almost
imperceptible additions and altera-
tious. This one calf, which is prob.
ably the first OF new species, and
which probably never meet another
of its own kind owing to the above
mentioned lingering method of de
velopment, has been examined by
Mr.. Haynes aud several other scien-
tific men, and they are as yet unable
to classify it. Mr.. Haynes says it IS
not hermaphrodite neither will he
venture 20 torn it he maphrodite.
The mportance Of correctly desig-
mating the new type for the benefit
of future naturalists is To- great to
permit careless consideration OF the
subject, and as his time is fully oc'
cupied now with the bee problem he
will not attempt an exact description
and classification until the swarming
season is over. In the mean time,
the calf having been made to order,
as may be said, to suit the place in
which it is to chew bunch grass and
browse upon sage brush, is thriving,
and may be expected to outlive its
more conventional brother.