INHERITANCE OF CHARACTERISTICS IN DOMESTIC FOWL. BY CHARLES B. DAVENPORT, DIRECTOR OF THE STATION FOR EXPERIMENTAL EVOLUTION, CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON. [Illustration] WASHINGTON, D. C. PUBLISHED BY THE CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON. 1909 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON PUBLICATION NO. 121. PAPERS OF THE STATION FOR EXPERIMENTAL EVOLUTION, NO. 14. PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY PHILADELPHIA TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE INTRODUCTION 3 CHAPTER I. THE SPLIT OR Y COMB 5 A. Interpretation of the Y Comb 5 B. Variability of the Y Comb and Inheritance of the Variations 12 CHAPTER II. POLYDACTYLISM 17 A. Types of Polydactylism 17 B. Results of Hybridization 18 CHAPTER III. SYNDACTYLISM 29 A. Statement of Problem 29 B. Results of Hybridization 32 CHAPTER IV. RUMPLESSNESS 37 CHAPTER V. WINGLESSNESS 42 CHAPTER VI. BOOTING 43 A. Types of Booting 43 B. Normal Variability 43 C. Results of Hybridization 46 CHAPTER VII. NOSTRIL-FORM 59 CHAPTER VIII. CREST 67 CHAPTER IX. COMB-LOP 69 CHAPTER X. PLUMAGE COLOR 71 A. The Gametic Composition of the Various Races 71 1. White 71 2. Black 72 3. Buff 72 B. Evidence 72 1. Silkie × Minorca (or Spanish) 72 2. Silkie × White Leghorn 75 3. Silkie × Buff Cochin 76 4. White Leghorn × Black Minorca 77 5. White Leghorn × Buff Cochin 77 6. Black Cochin × Buff Cochin 78