172 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



The principles of breeding and the origin of domesticated breeds of 

 animals, J. C. Ewart {U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Anini. Indus. Rpt. 1910, pp. 125- 

 186, pis. 7, flgs. 7). — This comprises lectures given at the Fourth Graduate 

 School of Agriculture, 1910. 



Under the principles of breeding the author discusses such problems as line 

 breeding, inbreeding, cross fertilization, reversion, effect of environment, ma- 

 ternal impression, telegony, transmission of acquired characters, Galton's 

 ancestral law, and Mendel's law. 



As an illustration of crossing distinct types the author reports an experiment 

 in crossing a Mexican dog of the Chihuahua breed and a West Highland terrier. 

 Another experiment is cited to show how a loss of vitality resulted by inbreed- 

 ing goats. Other experiments, and the author's views on the origin of domesti- 

 cated cattle, horses, and sheep, have been previously noted from other sources. 

 It is pointed out that a knowledge of the histoiy of the origin and characters 

 of the breeds of domestic animals is a great advantage to those who undertake 

 breeding experiments. 



In conclusion the author states that, in order to improve breeding stock, 

 " breed the best to the best, but avoid crossing different strains and different 

 types of the same strain, and, as a rule, avoid close affinities." 



The ancestry of domesticated cattle, E. W. Morse (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Bur. 

 Anim. Indus. Rpt. 1910, pp. 187-239, pis. 3, flgs. 8).— This article includes lec- 

 tures given at the Fourth Graduate School of Agriculture, 1910, and is a sum- 

 mary of the literature on this subject. There are brief historical sketches of the 

 Bovidfe, the genus Bos, and the cattle bred by the early inhabitants of Asia, 

 Northern Africa, and Europe. There is a critical discussion of different extinct 

 species which may be the possible ancestors of the domesticated breeds in 

 Europe and America. The classifications of breeds proposed by the different 

 authorities are given, and a bibliography is appended. 



[Cattle in Jamaica], H. H. Cousins et al. {Bui. Dept. Agr. Jamaica, n. 

 ser., 2 {1912), No. 5, pp. 27W/.9, i)ls. 13). — An account of the introduction and 

 present status of the zebus. Red Polls, Jerseys, and grade Guernseys and 

 Jerseys which have been imported to the island of Jamaica. 



Brazilian Caracu cattle, N. Athanassof {Estudo sohre o gado Caraeti. Sao 

 Paulo: Govt., 1910, pp. IV+155, pis. 15, flgs. 95; abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. 

 [Rome], Bui. Bur. Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 2 {1911), No. 6, pp. lJt05, 

 lJf06). — An account of the characteristics of different breeds of cattle in Sao 

 Paulo. Methods of management, body measurements, and statistical data are 

 given. 



Cattle breeding in Latium, A. Stazi {Bol. Quind. Sac. Agr. Ital., 16 {1911), 

 No. 23, pp. 901-911; abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Roine], Bril. Bur. Agr. Intel, 

 and Plant Diseases, 3 {1912), No. 2, pp. ^7^-^76). — This contains information on 

 the state of cattle breeding, meat prices, and slaughter weights. 



Experimental studies .on cattle and pigs carried out at the Royal Zoo- 

 technical Institute of Reggio Emilia, A. Romolotti {Studi Sperimentali 

 Compiuii sui Bovini e Suini al R. Instituto Zootecnico di Reggio Emilia. 

 Reggio Emilia, 1911, pp. 1-30; ahs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Bui. Bur. 

 Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 3 {1912), No. 2, pp. 47/-^ 7//). —These studies 

 report data on the increase in weight of cows during 9 months of gestation, the 

 weight of the fetus at birth in relation to the live weight of the mother, the 

 birth weight of Simmental-Reggiano calves, the weight of Simmental and Swiss 

 calves at 1 year, the state of the teeth in calves at birth, and related topics. 



Studies of the nutrition of the pig, E. V. McCollum and H. Steenbock 

 (Wisconsin Sta. Research Bui. 21, pp. 53-86, flgs. 5).— This bulletin consists of 



