THE AMEBIC AN NATURALIST [Vol. XLVI 



classifies as either "tricolor" or "non-tricolor" ("lemon-and- 

 white"). A third variety, <! black-and-tan," is mentioned by 

 Galton, but disregarded in his statistical treatment. He does not 

 state whether it may or may not possess white spots, but I 

 strongly suspect that the "black-and-tans" produced by spotted 

 Bassett hounds would also be spotted, in which case they would 

 correspond with the category black-and-white of guinea-pig 

 races containing tricolors. For the "tan" feature of black-and- 

 tan dogs is in reality due to a pattern factor as distinct from 

 black as is the agouti pattern of guinea-pigs. Hence so far as 

 spotting is concerned Galton 's disregarded "black-and-tans" 

 were probably black-and-whites which happened to possess the 

 "tan" pattern (light spot over eye, light belly and legs below). 

 If so, the behavior of the dogs accords in every point with that 

 of the guinea-pigs as regards color inheritance. For Galton 

 observed that neither tricolors nor non-tricolors breed true, but 

 each sort may produce the other, though it produces more of its 

 own kind. The same is true for guinea-pigs; see Table. It is 

 desirable that any one having the opportunity should look into 

 the breeding capacity of Bassett hounds which are black-and- 

 white or 1 ' blaek-and-tan. ' ' If they can produce ' ' tricolor ' ' and 

 "lemon-and- white young," the parallel between the breeding 

 capacity of tricolor guinea-pigs and tricolor dogs will be com- 

 pletely established. w. E. Castle 



Harvard University 



