GENETICS: R. PEARL 
381 
2. Failing a specific effect is there a general effect upon the germinal 
material leading to general degeneracy of the progeny? 
3. What in general are the effects upon the soma of the treated 
individual of the continued administration of such poisons? 
4. Are the somatic effects upon the treated individuals of a sort to 
give any clue to the probable origin, or mechanism of the germinal 
changes? 
The present paper reports, in brief abstract, the results obtained 
from the beginning of the experiment in September, 1914, to February 1, 
1916. A complete report is now in process of publication in another 
place. In that report the data will be presented in detail, with probable 
errors, etc.^ 
The foundation stock used in these experiments came from pedigreed 
strains of two breeds of poultry, Black Hamburgs and Barred Ply- 
mouth Rocks. Both of the strains used have been so long pedigree- 
bred by the writer, and used in such a variety of Mendelian experi- 
ments, that they may be regarded as 'reagent strains,' whose genetic 
behavior under ordinary circumstances may be predicted with a degree 
of probabiHty amounting practically to complete certainty. Further- 
more, the results of crossing these two breeds reciprocally have been 
thoroughly studied by me. 
Three different series of birds were started. To the birds in one 
series was administrated 95% ethyl alcohol. To those in the second 
series was administered methyl alcohol, and to those in the third series, 
ether. 
The method followed in these experiments for the administration of 
the poisons was essentially that which has been used by Stockard,^ 
namely the method of inhalation. 
The number of treated birds used in the experiments to the date 
covered in this report is 19. The number of untreated control brothers 
and sisters is 58. 
Results in the treated individuals. — Before entering upon any discus- 
sion of the effect of the alcohol treatment on the progeny it seems 
desirable to examine the effects, both structural and physiological, 
upon the treated individuals themselves. The main results are sum- 
marized in Table I. 
The plan of this table is as follows: In the last column of the table 
a plus sign denotes that, with reference to the particular character 
discussed, the alcoholists have been favorably affected; a minus sign 
that they have been unfavorably affected as compared with untreated 
