No. 1, February, 1921] GENETICS 27 



184. Dunn, L. C. Independent genes in mice. Genetics 5:344-361. May, 1920. — 

 Author tests for linkage of certain color factors in mice and finds that the following relation- 

 ships exist: Pink-eye and piebald spotting are independent; pink-eye and non-agouti are 

 independent; black-eyed white spotting and piebald spotting are independent; black-eyed 

 white spotting and agouti are independent; black-eyed white spotting and pink-eye are 

 independent; piebald spotting and non-agouti, give indications of slight linkage, 46.23 ±1.2 

 per cent, "of doubtful significance."— Thus four independent groups of genes are established 

 for mice with a possibility of a fifth. Two other groups are considered as possibilities from 

 the data of other investigators. — C. C. Little. 



185. Dunn, L. C. Linkage in mice and rats. Genetics 5: 325-343. May, 1920. — Reviews 

 established cases of linkage in mice and rats; albinism, pink-eye and red-eye in rats; albinism 

 and pink-eye in mice. — On basis of extensive experiments, cross-overs of 14.5 per cent between 

 genes for albinism and pink-eye in mice. Crossing over occurs in both sexes, in males 13.65 =b 

 3.81 per cent and in females 15.91 ± 0.466 per cent. This difference between sexes is 3.81 

 times its probable error. In rats linkage between albinism and red-eye results in 1.8 =h 0.54 

 per cent cross-overs; albinism — pink-eye cross-over = 21.1 ± 2.92 per cent. Red-eye — 

 pink-eye crossovers = 18.3 ± 0.38 per cent. Linear order of genes is indicated. Males in 

 latter cross show 15.56 ± 0.538 per cent cross-overs, females, 20.46 ± 0.525 per cent. This 

 difference is 6.51 times its probable error. These sex distinctions are probably due to sexual 

 differences not yet discovered, in either structure or functioning of chromatin. — C. C. Little. 



186. Ebstein, E. Zur Frage des Vorkommens von Kretinen und Albinos in Lerbach im 

 Harz. [On the occurrence of cretins and albinos in Lerbach in the Harz.] Die Naturwissen- 

 schaften 6:562-565. 1918. — In Die Harzreise, Heine notes presence in Lerbach of cretins 

 {dumme Kropfleute) and albinos {weisze Mohren). The consequent ill-repute of Lerbach has 

 clung to it until present times. From medical literature and correspondence author finds that 

 cretins existed in Lerbach at the time of Heine's excursion in the Harz (1824), but that 

 none have been known since 1830. Later lay references to cretinism are shown to be essen- 

 tially repetitions of Heine's statement without examination of facts. Author finds that at 

 least two albinos lived in Lerbach in 1824, and that nine cases in three families exist at pres- 

 ent time. Attention is called to erroneous confusion of cretinism and albinism as manifes- 

 tations of same condition, and distinctions are drawn between cretinism and simple dwarf 

 and goitrous cases. Diminution in cretinism is ascribed to failure of extreme cases to repro- 

 duce, and industrial development of Lerbach district leading to improvement in social and 

 hygienic conditions, and introduction of fresh blood lines. Probable sources of Heine's 

 information are discussed, and a geological description of Lerbach district is included. — 

 R. E. Clausen. 



187. Eddy, W. H., H. Lake and A. B. Lyman. Report of committee examining Minne- 

 sota State Fruit-breeding Farm. Minnesota Hortic. 48: 36, 37. 1920. — Gives a brief resum6 

 of the most important work carried on at the farm. — H. K. Hayes. 



188. Elderton, Ethel M. Life-history albums. Biometrika 12 : 373-374. Nov., 1919. 

 — This is a brief discussion of the relative merits of Galton's and Taylor's family history 

 albums, both from the point of view of the people throughout the country who may be induced 

 to fill out the records, and of the statistical workers who will use the completed records in 

 solving problems in heredity and eugenics. The Personal and Family History Register, 

 compiled by Dr. Taylor places, author thinks, more emphasis than is justifiable on environ- 

 ment as a factor in improving the race, and gives too much space to information about direct 

 ancestors, leaving none for collaterals, while cousins are as closely related to one another 

 as grandparents to grandchildren, and data about them would be much more accurate and 

 easily obtained. Author feels that both Dr. Taylor's Register and Galton's Life History 

 Album are too bulky and that the concise "Records of Family Faculties" issued by Galton 

 in 1884 would very well meet the needs of the statistical worker and should be reissued.— 

 Sylvia L. Parker. 



