Abstract
RECENT comparative studies of fibre–type arrays, mostly in the New Zealand Romney, have thrown new light on the probable course of evolution in the coat of the sheep from wild type to the most ‘improved’ domesticated fleece. Fibre type arrays1 are distinguished essentially by differences attributed to the lesser or greater power of the pre–natal check. The effect of this check stands out most clearly when, as in Ravine and Valley arrays, among fibres beginning their development before birth, it causes some starting to grow earlier to be finer than some starting to grow later. Fibre–type array is strongly inherited2 and this fact gives confidence in the soundness of this new approach to the evolution of the fleece.
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References
N. Z. J. Agric., 48, 6 (1934).
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Emp. J. Exp. Agric., 4 (1936).
Sutherland, J. A., Unpublished thesis, University of New Zealand (1939).
J. Text. Inst., 28, 12 (1937).
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GOOT, H. Evolution of the Fleece of the Sheep. Nature 148, 596–597 (1941). https://doi.org/10.1038/148596b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/148596b0
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