SYSTliM USED IN BRKEDING GUINKA-PICS AND RABBITS. 3II 



pig. On this outline the Hmits of the principal color areas are 

 marked. This is a great aid not only to the accuracy of descrip- 

 tiion bu't also to the ease in referring to an animal's characters. 

 Finally in the center of the sheet there are two columns in 

 which are recorded the matings in which this animal enters and 

 a brief summary of the results of each. This sheet thus pro- 

 vides a brief but relatively complete history of the individual. 

 If it is desired a record could be made of the number of the 

 pen or hutch in which each animal is kept. This would often be 

 a convenience in locating a particular individual. It involves the 

 adiditional trouble of making a record every time an animal is 

 itransferred from one pen to another. So far we have not 

 found this record necessary. 



It should be said that the numbers are given the animals in 

 a continuous series approximately in the order of their birth. 

 The ear labels are purchased already numbered and for con- 

 venience in reference are used in consecutive order. No attempt 

 is made to make the number show the pedigree. This is estab- 

 lished through the "mating number" described below. The 

 description sheets are arranged consecutively in the book. Thus 

 if we should pick up guinea-pig nurhber 124 we simply turn 

 to page 124 and find the description and other data concerning 

 this animal. The pedigree and breeding history of the individ- 

 ual are found by reference to the mating number from which it 

 came and to the matings into which it enters as a parent. 



AT ATI NO Record. 



The key to this pedigree system is the "mating number." 

 Every time a particular male and female are placed together an 

 arbitrary number is given to that mating. Tliese mating num- 

 bers are assigned in a continuous series in the order in which 

 the matings are made. The "mating number" in itself is no 

 indication of the pedigree but is simply an index by which the 

 pedigree can be determined. Printed sheets similar to those 

 described above are used for the mating records. A fac- 

 simile of one of these sheets is shown in figure 147. 



