176 



THE AMERICAN NATURALIST 



[Vol. LV 



It is, however, believed that a considerable number of geneti- 

 cists will agree to the main suggestions of the report, and will 

 therel)y form a nucleus to which younger geneticists beginning 

 publication would in a majority of cases join tliemselves. Thus, 

 after a time, a far more uniform method of publication than now 

 exists would become established. 



In order to give such an opportunity, your committee respect- 

 fully suggests that this report, if approved by vote of the mem- 

 bers present, be published at the earliest convenient time. 



1. The Type. — In most animals and plants it is convenient to 

 settle on a standard type, preferably the wild type, when this is 

 known. The effects of the various genetic factors are in general 

 to be measured by the departure from type 1 cl tl e\ 1 r n r 

 about. This recommendation involves no real departure from 

 the system now in use by most geneticists. 



2. ^Series of Allelomorphs.— A single letter, with a subscript, 

 if necessary, is to be assigned to each series of allelomorphs. 

 This letter should, when possible, be chosen so as to give some 

 hint as to the nature of the effects caused by variations in the 

 series in question. The member of each allelomorph series pres- 

 ent in the type is to be represented by the symbol for that series, 

 capitalized and with no superscript. Factors dominant over the 

 type are to be represented by the same capitalized symbol as the 

 type, but w-ith appropriate superscripts. Recessives are to be 

 represented by the same symbol in lower case also ^vith appro- 

 priate superscripts {ivhe^i necessary) . The symbols for the type 

 factors may be omitted in formula? w^here convenient. The 

 agouti series in mice A^, A}, A, a'^, in which two factors are domi- 

 nant over the wild gray type and one recessive is an example of 

 the use of symbols. [This series might properly have been given 

 a Y or B sjTubol in place of the A adopted. Since, however, it 

 is to be thought of in terms of modification of the agouti pattern, 

 the* s\-mbol A is chosen.] 



3. Dowi/jiance.— Dominance of genes is recognized to be largely 

 a matter of convenience. Factors may be considered dominant 

 which produce an easily recognized departure from type, when 



4. Superscr! !>!•<. -It is siiL'uoslcd tliat both a literal and a 



numerical sniM.|-.,Tip- .i-i-M..!. thr initial description, 



to each facK-r r\- pi rl,- ,it -ra-t in series of multiple 



allelomorpiis ! . KmiF.n >! I'i;r>( Kii't may thereafter be used 

 ALONE. The numerical superscript shall indicate the estimated 



