466 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



their development and undergo absorption in utero. While the occurrence of 

 atrophic fetuses only causes reduced fertility in animals which have many 

 young at birth yet their occurrence in animals producing only one young would 

 give rise to sterility so that the problem of the cause of the atrophy becomes 

 an important one. 



" Investigation points to the conclusion that the atrophy is not bacterial in 

 origin since frequently healthy and atrophic fetuses lie side by side in the 

 tuerus. Moreover, no bacteria could be found either in the fetus or fetal mem- 

 branes. Evidence is given to show that nutrition can not be the cause of the 

 atroiihy although it may affect to a certain extent the size of the young. No 

 conclusion has yet been arrived at as to the cause of the atrophy, and the sev- 

 eral jjossihilitios suggested are still under investigation." 



Influence of Rontgen rays on ovaries, M. Fraenkfx (Arch. Milros. Anat., 

 84 {191J,), No. 3-4, IT, pp. 111-118, pi. 1, figs. 6: abs. in Jour. Roy. l/fV/o.s. Soc. 

 [London^, No. 3 {1914), P- 24t). — In experiments with guinea pigs subjected to 

 Rontgen rays on the fourth day after birth growth was retarded and when 

 mature the offspring were undersized. Their offspring were undersized also and 

 were sterile. It is stated that " in the exi^eriments several servings and preg- 

 nancies were failures. A hair defect was produced by the rays on the head of 

 the first animal, and a similar defect ajipeared on the same place in the next 

 generation, and similar cases were observed. All the anim.nls showed an ac- 

 cumulation of fat. Cystic degeneration of the ovaries was observed in the 

 sterile forms." 



Coat pattern in mammals. — A medium of real value to the breeder, since 

 it enables him by analysis to detect in many cases the genetic composition 

 of his animals — Mendelism in the hands of the fancier, Q. I. Simpson {Jour. 

 Hcreditj/, 5 {1914), No. 8, pp. 329-339, pi. 1, figs. 6).-- -The author recounts his 

 experiences in crossing Tamworth, White Yorkshire, and Belted-Black Hamp- 

 shire swine, in an effort to found a new race of Belted Reds. 



From these observations he concludes that "the fancier and the Mendelist 

 may synthesize color and pattern to their likings. Starting with dominant 

 white found on some individual, family, or race, among mammals or fowls, he 

 may borrow from another of the species the dye, from yet another the stencil, 

 and create unique marking, [and] that Mendelism. the result of chromosome 

 sluifning and segregation at the sexual preparation of egg and sperm, is the 

 breeder's fractionating column and analytical balance. It enables him to sep- 

 arate and weigh the determining entities that make visible the types, and then 

 to resynthesize these to his uses and his fancies." 



A bibliography is included. 



Inbreeding in dogs. — Statistical study of the pedigrees of two typical 

 breeds; inbreeding not so commonly practiced by dog fanciers as popularly 

 supposed and not so productive of results as line-breeding, W. Haynes {Jour. 

 IleredUy, 5 {1914), ^^o. 8, pp. 368, 56.9).— From a study of the pedigrees of 

 the Airedale and Scottish terrier breeds of dogs, the author estimates the pei'cent- 

 age of inbred animals in these breeds at three and seven per cent, respectively, 

 thus discrediting the popular view that these dogs are closely inbred. Further 

 it was found that of 100 Scottish terrier champions one is inbred, and of 100 

 Airedale champions two are inbred. However, the figures on line-breeding are 

 different, for of the 100 Scottish terrier champions 9 were bred in this way, 



8 from the half brother and sister with same sire, and 1 from the half 

 brother and sister with the same dam, and 10 Airedale champions were so bred, 



9 from the half brother and sister with the same sire, and 1 from the half 

 brother and sister with the same dam. The author concludes that line- 



