INHERITANCE OF WOOL-CHARACTERS IN SHEEP                383

lamb and the proportion of kemp subsequently developed in the adult fleece. The
type of birth-coat shown by the lamb is a matter of inheritance.

2.  If sheep are compared which have just the same type of birth-coat, differ-
ences in kempiness may be discovered, and data are at present being accumulated
to discover how far, in such a case these different degrees of kempiness are inherit-
ed. This work goes to show that inheritance is undoubtedly the important factor.

3.  It is easily possible to find in one and the same flock, sheep of the same
age, kept under precisely the same conditions, which will show absolutely different
amounts of kemp in the coat.

4.  Sheep kept under artificial conditions, for example, sheep that are being fed
for show, if the coat was originally of a kempy nature, still preserve this feature.

5.  Individual sheep examined over a period of years do not show any large
differences between the proportions of kemp in different years.

6.  Even in pure Merino flocks a sheep will very occasionally occur with a coat
that is quite full of kemp. This is a good example of what is popularly termed
' reversion', a purely hereditary phenomenon.

7.  Those breeders who have the greatest experience of intensive sheep hus-
bandry, for example, the Merino breeders of Australia, have no doubt whatsoever
that kempiness is a matter of breeding.

To sum up, therefore, it may be confidently stated that differences in degree of
kempiness are predominantly a reflection of hereditary differences, and that if
environmental conditions do cause any effect, that effect is very small in compari-
son. The theory that lowland breeds of sheep, kept under adverse conditions on
the mountains, would rapidly develop kemp, has nothing to support it.

It may be added that the complementary theory that kempy mountain breeds,
when kept under low-ground conditions, would grow wool free from kemp has been
shown on numerous occasions to be erroneous.

Bryant (1933, unpublished) has shown that when the degree of kempiness in
a Scottish Blackface ram used for breeding purposes is determined upon a percen-
tage-weight basis, the figures obtained are significantly correlated with the degree
of kempiness exhibited by his progeny. His analysis of the inheritance of kemp
in this breed indicates that there are probably major and minor factors involved,
the former of which can readily be manipulated by practical breeding, though the
minor factors are more refractory. If this conclusion is substantiated, a means
will be at hand whereby in the Blackface breed kemp can be reduced to negligible
proportions, though absolute eradication may not be possible. From the work of