ALBINISM

the lack of pigmentation in plants and animals which are normally eager In certain cases, however, in certain flowering plants and in an or animals, this has become specific. It may be complete or partial. In man the hair and may be white, and the eyes are ome gad sensitive to ent, and appear pink owing to the iris being devoid of pigment, ws the blood of the capillaries: shining through retina, iris, and cornea,: Negroes, in whom a. is particularly obvious, sometimes show irregular white patches all over the body, giving it a piebald appearance, and it is probable that partial a. occurs in Europe ans but is not so noticeable on account of the pale skin. Seasonable a. in animals, such as hares and ptarmigans, which have white fur or feathers during winter, is not complete, as the pigmentation of the eye is maintained, the unpigmented state being obviously disadvantageous. Lack of pigment in other animals, e.g. worms, beetles, fishes, frogs, is often due to the absence of the stimulus of light, and is especially noticeable in cave animals. True a. is not acquired, and, therefore, not curable, but is inherited. It seems that a men deli an transmi ion takes place, and this is evidently corroborated by! the occurrence of albinotic naar from marriages. of first cousins. A., whether in man or animals, may be regarded as a mye character. _ Bee HREDITY. ia