The Cairo bulletin., 1906-07-28

being made into the heredity of planti
and animals.
Although experimental evolution is
one of the latest practical develop
ments of modern science. this Car
negie laboratory has chosen for the
scene of its labors a locality that Il
thoroughly primitive, being marked By
the absence OF all those modern i'm
proyements' that usually characterize
the suburban village-if indeed. Cold
Spring Harb0r can be dignitied by
that designation
The laboratory buildings are erected
on small fresh water pond empty
ing into the harbor beyond Ten acres
of land are utilized by the institution
for its various experiments in botany
and animal life as shown by mum
Der of neat Enclosures containing de.
mure-looking poultry, dignified goats
of a somewhat questionable parentage
judging by their outward appearance,
cattle, sheep, greenhouse and q
"viyarium" for the accommodation OF
insects. Adjoining the land belonging
to the laboratory the Brooklyn Insti,
tute Of Arts and Sciences has a build
ing. to which 1t it at present making
considerable additions, devoted to bio
logical studies, while across across the
way is the New York State Fish
Hatchery, where millions Of trout
shad, bass. smelt and cod are turned
out yearly for the benefit Of the lakes
and streams throughout the state
c. b. Davenport, who has been as
sociate professor of zoology at the
University Of Chicago for the past foul
years. is at the III of both biological
laboratories at Cold Spring Harbor
In his report Of the first years work
Prof. Davenport states that the insti.
tutons first efforts have been directed
to studies Of heredity, which he de-
clares, in spite of their Importance
for evolution. have been relatively
neglected. TO deal with this subject
the laboratory has planned work.
which It will undertake in coopera.
ton with others on all the main
groups OF animals and plants.
Following this programme. two and
a half acres of laboratory land have
been devoted TO the rearing Of "ppdi
greed plants whose welfare has been
watched by Drs. Britton and Mac.
Dougal, of the New York Botanical
Garden. as well as by the botanist of
the laboratory, Or. Shull Eighty-one
different species Of plants were chosen
and kept under careful observation.
several showing notable variations /
what the laboratory is doing with
plants It IS doing also with insects. [
In fact Cold Spring Harbor Just nov .
might be called an insect paradise.
and applications for entrance 20 the
laboratory from those minute denizeus
if the forest should be numerous
Besides special experiments that are
ieing made al the laboratory with 1sa I
md snaiis. the principal Investigations
laye been confined so far 10 d0mesti.
.ated animals-fowl. duck. pigeons.
anary birds. goldfnch. goats. sheep.
attic and the plain, everyday harm
ess. necessary cat
The two goats connected with the
laboratory are Irish. and are decorated
With certain peculiar "wattles" on the
ieck The interest attached TO these
yattles. according TO Prof Davenport.
depends on The fact that the are tyn-
cal abnormalities and subserve no
JUNCTION They have been repeatedly !
deserved Ga man. Now. tho question
e. with these two Irish goats a. the
laboratory, How viii the wauies ap-
ear in their descendants TIE in
erestine pair have had four offspring
ince their arrival at the laboratory /
The same Kind Of experiment fs De.
NJ conducted with tie FIVE sheen az
be laboratory and with a pair OF Ier-
sy and Hoizfe'n cattle from which
'rof Davenport hopes 30 improve the
uality of The HoIstein milk. The
ve cats with which the laboratory
tarted have already had % kittens.