142 Experimental Zoology 



ably have been thus considered. On the other hand, there are 

 also numerous instances where it seems probable that the inheri- 

 tance is of a different kind. To what the results are due is not 

 clear in all cases, but it seems not improbable that some of the 

 , domesticated races of silkworms have originated from different 

 \ wild species, or even genera; while others have arisen under 

 domestication as sudden variations. Several instances of this 

 sort are given and invite special attention. Some of the races 

 may be crosses, i.e. hybrids, and even although breeding true 

 inter se the individuals may carry in a latent state the qualities 

 of other strains. In the light of these possible complications 

 we can do little more than examine Coutagne's results as they 

 stand. It is to be hoped that this most promising field of inquiry 

 may be further investigated. 



Coutagne distinguishes between (i) an "alliage homogene," 

 or fusion, in which the hybrid character is something new and 

 intermediate between the parental characters (which are united 

 or fused "fondus"); (2) a "melange heterogene," or mixture, 

 in which some of the hybrids are like one parent and some like 

 the other in respect to a particular character, and still others inter- 

 mediate; (3) a "liquation" or separation in which there is no 

 fusion of characters in any of the individuals, but they are strictly 

 like one or the other parent type. 



The inheritance of the following characters was examined by 

 Coutagne : - 



i The caterpillars (" worms ") : 



White (with or without a masque) a, i mode albus 



Black a, 2 " niger 



Zebra 3,3 " virgatus 



2 The cocoons: 



Yellow b,i " flavus 



White b,2 " niveus 



3 The moths: 



White, with or without " cendre " markings c, i " canus 

 Black c, 2 " casteneus 



