ON THE INHERITANCE OF AN AURAL 
ABNORMALITY IN THE AYRSHIRE CATTLE. 
By 
Jinshiu Yamane, Nbgakushi. 
The present paper deals with genetical studies upon a case of abnor- 
mality, which has been transmitted with striking persistence for more than 
half a century. 
In the Ayrshire cattle a very singular abnormal peculiarity is frequently 
seen, which is known amongst breeders as nicked or notched ears. This 
aural abnormality is not a traumatical but a natural one, it always occurs 
symmetrically in both ears. In the size of the notch, however, there are great 
differences among the affected individuals, and two distinct types can be dis- 
tinguished. In some animals the tips of the ears are slightly notched : whilst 
in others it will be observed that the notches are so conspicuous that the 
ears seem to be not more than half the usual size. In the latter case the 
ridges on the inner surface of the lobe are exceedingly developed. The 
degree of affection is entirely constant at all ages. Rough sketches below 
indicate particular features, where a verbal description can not adequately 
explain relative differences. For convenience' sake I will call the well- 
notched one the first type and the slightly-notched the second type. 
It would be of deep interest to know the origin of this aural abnormality 
in this breed of cattle, but it is naturally veiled in obscurity. A slight sug- 
gestion, however, may be obtained from a letter that was sent in 1902 to 
Mr. S. Takenouchi, the director of the Mayeda Farm in Ishikari Province, 
l) The terms "nicked" or "notched" are used in the American Ayrshire Record. 
[Jour, of tlie College of Agr., Toholcu Imp. Univ., Sapporo, Vol. VI, Pt. 7, April, 1915] 
