298 Maine Agricultural Experiment Station. 1917. 



This foundation stock is shown to be a random sample of the 

 general population from which it came. 



Fi offspring from these parents were treated with the 

 above poisons. The advantages in the use of these crossbred 

 were, first, a heterozygous condition of many factors enabling 

 a test of the effects of the poisons on usual conditions of Men- 

 delian dominance, second, a possible increase in vigor due to 

 heterosis. Full brothers and sisters of the treated birds were 

 used to control the experiments. 



The poisons were administered daily b}- the inhalation 

 method in practically as large doses as could be tolerated when 

 given in this way. Large tanks containing 7 cubic feet of air 

 with capacity for 4 to 5 birds and small tanks with 4 cubic feet 

 were used. Cotton was placed in an inhalation compartment 

 soaked with the reagent. The air is then saturated with an 

 atomizer and the birds introduced into the chamber. By this 

 method a treatment in saturated air for one hour daily is in- 

 sured. No accurate measure of the amount of inhaled alcohol 

 js available. An estimate of the amount may, however, be made 

 -from the amount consumed in one inhalation. These amounts 

 ;iire, for the large tank, 45 cc. and for the small, 30 cc. or an 

 .amount per bird corresponding to that of a steady but moderate 

 -drinker. 



It is reasonable to suppose that the effect, if any, of the 

 alcoholization of the parents upon the progeny will depend in 

 ;some degree, at least, upon the period of time during which the 

 parents have been subject to treatment with alcohol prior to 

 the birth of the offspring. The measure of this pre-birth treat- 

 ment may be designated as the "total germ dosage index" and 

 • defined as the total number of days during which the two 

 : gametes making the offspring zygote have been exposed to al- 

 •coholic influence while sojourning in the body of the treated 

 iindividual. Express graphically. 



TOTAL GERM DOSAGE LNDEX IN DAYS= (Mh— A(^)4- 

 (Mh— A$), where 



M =Mean date of hatching of progeny. 

 A^— Date when treatment of J^ parent began. 

 A9=Date when treatment of 5 parent began. 



