132 RAYMOND PEARL 



B. Substances used and mode of administration 



In the present investigation three different series of birds 

 were started. To the birds in one series was administered 95 

 per cent ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH). To those in the second 

 series was administered methyl alcohol (CH3OH) and to those 

 in the third series ether (C2H5)20. In all cases, on account 

 of the expense involved, use has been made of standard com- 

 mercial preparations of these three substances, rather than the 

 most refined, chemically pure, reagents. It is entirely unlikely 

 that in such an experiment as this any difference could by any 

 possibility result from the use of standard commercial substances 

 rather than strictly chemically pure reagents. Furthermore in 

 regard to this, as well { s to some other similar points which may 

 occur to one in reading these ps.pers, it will be well to remember 

 that after all the primary object of the experimentation was 

 genetic, not pharmacological. In other words, the purpose of 

 the investigation is to produce, if possible, some change in the 

 germ plasm of the treated individuals. It will be time to under- 

 take the minute analysis of just what the chemical nature and 

 cause of the change is, after the change itself has been produced. 

 For beginning experiments, such as those here reported, too 

 extreme refinement of method at unessential points contributes 

 nothing to the research and may tend actually to hinder rather 

 than help the getting of any results at all. 



The method followed in these experiments for the adminis- 

 tration of the poisons was essentially that which has been used 

 by Stockard, nrmely the method of inhalation. Some years 

 ago the present writer carried out an experiment with Mr. B. 

 A. Ahrens, then a student of the University of Maine, in which 

 the attempt was made to administer ethyl alcohol regularh- 

 to a flock of birds in the drinking water. It was found impos- 

 sible to use this method with any degree of satisfaction for pre- 

 cisely the same reasons which Stockard and Papanicolaou (38, 

 p. 69) have found to militate against its use with guinea-pigs. 

 Fowls will not drink water containing even dilute solutions of 

 ethyl alcohol if they can possibly find any other way of rehev- 



