DEPARTMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL EVOLUTION. 85 



that of their darker parent. Consequently two blond parents have only- 

 blond offspring, but a blond and a brunet may have either blond or brunet 

 children. 



(b) It is shown that in crosses between negroes and Caucasians the same 

 rule holds : that mulattoes produce "white" children, but (probably) rarely 

 black, and that, consequently, the assumed blend of coloration is not a per- 

 manent thing. 



(c) Intensive studies of about 30 albino families give every reason for 

 concluding that albinism in man, in opposition to current opinion, is really 

 inherited exactly as in rabbits and guinea-pigs. An explanation is given of 

 the apparent departures from the rule for other mammals. New and rela- 

 tively extensive evidence is given that the high consanguinity in the parent- 

 age of albinos that is to be expected actually occurs — that albinism is prima 

 facie evidence of consanguineous marriages. From the evidence gained by 

 the cooperation of the committees on feeble-mindedness, it appears that im- 

 becility, insanity (of certain forms, at least), and epilepsy are inherited in 

 like fashion, and that where both parents lack the factor for normal brain 

 development all of their children will lack it also, and be defective. 



The work on human heredity has grown to such proportions and its out- 

 look is so vast that it became evident that the Director of this Department 

 could not cope with it alone. Much assistance was needed. Fortunately, 

 at an opportune moment, assistance was forthcoming. The Eugenics Record 

 Office has been established in a place close by and placed under the control of 

 your Director with funds for the maintenance of a superintendent, office 

 assistants, and a number of field workers. The outlook for the development 

 of this very practical offshoot of our work is bright. 



EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION. 



On January 11, 1910, the Institution purchased for the use of the Depart- 

 ment 21 acres of land lying about a mile east of the station building. This 

 is largely wooded. About 4 acres have been used during the present season 

 for growing Lychnis in the sex experiment and for pedigreed beans. From 

 about 4 acres in addition a hay crop was obtained. The land lies high and is 

 otherwise favorably situated, but lacks means of irrigation which can be 

 easily arranged for. The purchase provides for the natural expansion of the 

 work of the Department for some time to come. It was made at an oppor- 

 tune time, in view of the rapid rise in the price of land, and gives great satis- 

 faction to the Department. 



During the winter an artificial cave was constructed, connected with the 

 building at its northwest corner. The inside dimensions are 41 feet long, 

 8 feet wide, and 6.5 feet high. The top is 4 feet below the surface of the 

 ground. The walls, roof, floor, partitions, and shelves are of concrete rein- 

 forced with one-fourth-inch steel rods. The cave is divided, by two parti- 

 tions with iron doors, into three rooms, of which the first is separated from 



