ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. ip 
Mr. HINDMARSH showed by Mendelian graphical repre- 
sentation how Dr. PEARL proved that fecundity in fowls is 
inherited, and how pure strains could be determined by the 
study of pedigree lines. He claims that the study of winter 
production is the best guide to the innate capacity in 
regard to fecundity. At that period of the laying cycle 
the widest difference in fecundity is exhibited. There 
were three well defined classes in this respect, viz. (1) 
zero winter production; (2) under 30 (eggs); and (3) over 
30. Dr. PEARL claims to have proved (1) that low fecundity 
may be inherited from the sire or the dam; (2) high 
fecundity is not inherited by the daughter from the dam ; 
(3) high fecundity may be inherited by the daughter from 
the sire independent of the dam. The interpretation was 
based on (a) hypothesis of sex as an inherited character on 
a Mendelian basis; (b) the male is the homozygote and the 
female the heterozygote in respect to sex inheritance, and 
(c) high production was a sex-linked character. 
Dr. CLELAND considered it doubtful whether there could 
be birds with pure maleness or femaleness respectively. 
Mr. DUNNICLIFF said that Dr. PEARL’S theory could not 
be accepted without reservation, because there were 
limiting factors. The Hawkesbury College Laying Com- 
petitions appeared to contradict the principle laid down as 
regards winter egg production. 
Messrs. SHELTON, GUTHRIE and Dr. GREIG-SMITH also 
spoke. 
Monthly Meeting, 9th June, 1918. 
Mr. F. B. GUTHRIE in the Chair. 
Mr. KE. BREAKWELL contributed a note and exhibited 
“Variations in Saccharine Sorghums.’’ It was pointed 
out that sorghum is a crop very prone to variation and 
splitting into types, owing to the facility with which 
