1 907-1908.] Mole Variation. 65 



fact, it is not easy to find two ordinarily coloured moles that 

 have precisely the same shade. Then the individual hairs 

 composing the fur are not uniform. The base is lighter, 

 or darker, as the case may be, becoming lighter or darker 

 towards the tips, but no regular rule seems applicable. Here, 

 again, there is the strongest possible tendency towards indi- 

 vidualism. 



Taking the most striking colour-variations in order, the 

 first may be the cream-colour. This may be regarded as 

 Leucotism. It occurs in all shades, from very pale cream to a 

 deep rusty yellow. The specimens illustrate the range of 

 colour better than any description. A comparatively common 

 variety has a patch of yellow or rufous on the breast or 

 abdomen, or on only one of • these parts. I have had 

 specimens in which this yellow or rusty colour extended over 

 the whole of the under parts. It may be a narrow line, or 

 wide, patchy in outline, and very often it has waved or most 

 irregular edges. The tint always ends abruptly, and never 

 shades off gradually into the surrounding colour. In direction 

 it is always longitudinal, and may exist only as a long thin 

 line of colour. 



The handsomest variations belong to what I may term the 

 silver-grey series. These always appear glossy and bright, 

 and if they could be obtained in quantity, they would surely 

 bring, as " furs," a very high price. These range from tints 

 hardly differing from the normal type down to fine silver grey. 

 I have never had, or seen, a really white mole, and believe 

 such to be of extreme rarity, nor have I had a piebald 

 variety. 



There is very little doubt that variation runs in certain 

 mole families. The regularity with which a particular vari- 

 ation occurs in the same field, or the same farm, is very well 

 known to every mole-catcher, while no abnormal colours may 

 ever occur in the whole of another parish. 



[A number of illustrative specimens of skins were exhibited 

 by Mr Service.] 



At this meeting Dr Wm. Watson read a paper on " Mendel- 

 ism," which brought forth valuable discussion. The President 

 VOL. VI. E 



