864 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



ANIMAL PRODTTCTION. 



Experiments on the Mendelian laws of inheritance, C. Prcci (Mod^ Zooia- 

 tro, Parte ScL, 25 {1915), No. 4, pp. 145-153, figs. 6). — Gray Flemish rabbits and 

 white Polish rabbits were crossed. In Fi the gray color of the Flemish parent 

 was dominant to the white of the Polish, but almost all the rabbits showed 

 whitish spots. The Fz generation consisted of 52 pigmented and 16 white 

 individuals, thus following the Mendelian ratios. It appears that the self- 

 colored individuals of the F2 generation behave as heterozygotes and the white 

 as homozygotes. 



Rambouillet rams were crossed on Middle Tiber Valley ewes, which are 

 noted for their very convex profile of nose and forehead, an open fleece, and 

 the head, throat, belly, and limbs devoid of wool. In the Fi generation all the 

 crosses had a straight face profile. In the F2 generation the convex profile 

 appeared in ratio very nearly following Mendel's law. The extent of the fleece 

 was greater in individuals with a straight profile, and seemed to follow, like 

 the latter characteristic itself, the laws of dominance and of the numerical 

 constancy of reversion. 



Variability vmder inbreeding and cross-breeding, W. E. Castle (Amcr. 

 Nat., 50 (I'JlG), No. 5'Jl, pp. irS-i S3). —This paper comments on Walton's 

 studies and conclusions (E. S. R., 34, p. 370). The author points out the utility 

 value of both inbreeding and cross-breeding in securing variations, and shows 

 that each has its utility at the proper time and place. 



[Mice breeding experiments], W. F. R. Weldon {Biomctrika, 11 (1915), No. 

 1-2, App., pp. 60, pJ. 1. figs. 7). — Complete data on mice breeding experiments 

 are given. 



The determination of sex, J. Regnault (Conipt. Rend. Assoc. Franc. Adt\ 

 Sci., 1914, pp. 554-551). — This is a short review of some of the principal theories 

 on the determination of sex as applied to man. with special emphasis upon the 

 influence of nutrition. 



Duration of the spermatozoa after fecundation, in the pullet and the duck, 

 A. Chappeloeb (Compt. Ren^l. Assoc. Franc. Adi\ Sci., 1914, PP- 519^26). — In 

 his studies the author found that the extremes of duration of the spermatozoa 

 after fecundation rangt^l from 10 to 18 days in the pullet and from 7 to 11 

 days in the duck. A bililiograpliy of references on the subject is given. 



The effect of castration on the weight of the pituary body and other 

 glands of internal secretion in the rabbit, A. E. LmNGSTOx {Amer. Jour. 

 Physiol, 40 (1916), No. 2, pp. 15S-1S5. figs. S).— The author concludes as the 

 result of his studies with rabbits that " there is no constant .sex difference in 

 the weight of the hypophysis. Neither males nor females show a constant 

 hypophyseal hypertrophy following castration or spaying. The females may 

 be regarded as showing a more constant response by the hypophysis after 

 spaying than is to be seen among the males after castration. 



*' From the curves of growth corre.sponding to each group there is a con- 

 stant relationship between the rate of increase in body weight and the response 

 of the hypophysis to castration or spaying. There is less hypertrophy of the 

 hypophysis in those groups which show an increase in rate of growth. In 

 groups where no effect can be shown upon the rate of growth a distinct hyi>er- 

 trophy of the hypophysis is constant, though in no case is it very marked. 



"A marked atrophy of the uterus follows removal of the ovaries from females. 

 No change in the weight of the heart or the kidneys can be attributed to 

 castration or spaying. No change can be demonstrated in the thyroid with the 

 possible exception of a moderate decrease in males after castration. The 



