The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-06
EXPERIMENTS IN RAISING
ZEBROIDS TO BE MADE.

From zebras which he has imported at
great expense Warner Nj. Van Norden,
president OF the Van Norden Trust COM
pany, of New York, entertains great hopes
that the zebroid as the hybrid offspring
OF the horse and zebra is called, Will come
TO be generally and favorably known In
this country.
The zebrod," explained Mr. Van Nor
den the other day. makes an excellent
all around animal for domestic use, ana
hope 10 Introduce II in this country. II
Is already used in South Africa, where IL
has given satisfaction i cannot say just
how speedy the zebroid will be, but those
l shall raise will be from the finest stock,
especially suited for driving purposes.
These animals are much more strong and
vigorous than the horse, and live about
twice as long They will rank with any
horses in general use today, and in value
will range from $500 10 $1,000. They will
be very tough. and able To endure twice
the hardship the average horse can
stand
The parents. perhaps, of generations of
American zebroids yet unborn are now
contentedly munching hay in the barn at
Mr.. Van Norden's country place at Rye,
~ Y, all unconscious OF the weight OF the
responsibility resting upon their carefully
grocmed backs. In temporary quarters In
one barn are three zebras, said TO be
among the finest OF their species ever
brought 10 this country.
Ono of them Is declared TO be a genu-
Inc Grevy's zebra, from Abyssinia, and
this animal alone Is valued by Mr.. Van
Norden at 5000. The other two zebras
belong 10 what is known as the Bohimii
class. Two more, equally as valuable as
those now in Rye, have been captured
for Mr.. Van Norden, and will be shipped
TO this country early next spring. These
animals are about six years aid and, in
asmuch as the life OF the average zebra
is about fifty years, they are as yet mere
babies, and are full OF more life and tricks
than young colts.
So much for the zebra parents OF the
zebroids Their parents on the other side
will range from full blooded Arabian
mare down to little burro jennies. through
a list OF horsefesh including piebald,
hackney and mustang.
The zebrods will owe their appearance
i'm this country, however, not so much to
Mr.. Van Norden's desire TO raise them
for themselves alone TO his determina-
ton TO solve the problem OF telegony. He
Is determined 10 demonstrate whether IL
is real, as breeders of blooded stock as
serts, or whethe Il is a vagary OF the
breeders mind. as scientists declare. Ex-
planning the object of his undertaking
Mr. Van Norden. said:
"All breeders believe in telegony II has
always been their claim that IL female
animal is bred TO one of a different spe-
cies but of the same family and is after
ward bred 10 one of her own species the
second offspring will show resemblance to
the first sire Opposed 10 the claim of the
breeders is that OF the scientists who say
there is no such thing as telegony and
that the breeders are mistaken in their
diagnosis. A man who stands near the
head OF the scientists in their contention
that there is nothing in the breeders fear
OF telegony is Professor w. Ewart OF
Edinburgh university. and for years he
has conducted experiments TO support the
correctness Of his theories. Professor
Ewart is now experimenting with pigeons
and RABBITS. He asserts that no one has
ever gone into the subject Of telegony in
such a manner as clearS to demonstrate
the truth or falsity of the many claims
made concerning IL. The experiments OF
Professor Ewart and others have thrown
some light on the subject. but there is
still much 10 be learned