BUMMABI OF CURRENT RESEARCHES 



HKLATIXO TO 



ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY 



(PRINCIPALLY INVKRTEBRATA AND CRYPTOGAMIA), 



MICEOSCOPY Etc.* 



ZOOLOGY. 



VERTEBRATA. 

 a. Embryology- t 



Progeny of a Tailless Cat.}— Prof. J. Kennel points out that the 

 distinction between congenital deviations due to germinal variation and 

 those due to influences on the embryo or foetus is rather theoretical than 

 actually verifiable. The sporadic occurrence of a kitten with a rudi- 

 mentary tail may be interpreted as due to foetal amputation, while the 

 repeated birth of curtailed forms in a family would point to germinal 

 variation. The occurrence of an apparently tailless cat may be due to 

 crossing with the Japanese or Manx race, or it may be a mutilation, or 

 it may be an expression of germinal defect. Kennel points out that 

 careful observation (e.g. with X-rays) may make it quite plain whether 

 the taillessness of a parent cat is congenital or acquired, for in the 

 latter case the terminal vertebree will show the normal configuration of 

 those at the base of the tail. 



Kennel discusses a particular case brought under his notice by Dr. 

 E. Thomson, in Helenenhof, Esthland. The mother, caught wild in the 

 country, had a rudimentary tail, with a scar-like, hairless, terminal 

 piece. The record of six litters (by normal males) was as follows : — 



• The Society are not intended to be denoted by the editorial "we," and they do 

 not bold themselves responsible for the views of the authors of the papers noted, 

 nor for any claim to novelty or otherwise made by them. The object of this part o*' 

 the Journal is to present a summary of the papers as actually published, and lo 

 describe and illustrate Instruments, Apparatus, &c, which are either new or have 

 cot been previously described in this country. 



t This section includes not only papers relating to Embryology properly so called, 

 but alsnthoBc dealing with Evolution, Development, Reproduction, and allied subjects. 



J Zool. Jahrb., xv. (1901) pp. 219-42. 



