Many authors have studied the follicle population in sheep and goats with a view to establishing a scientific basis for the breeding of sheep and goats with improved wool.

Pant & Kapri (1966) examined skin samples from five Gaddis, ten Angoras seven F1S, eight first back crosses to Angora, four second back crosses to Angora and eight goats produced by inter se mating of the second back crosses and recorded the S/P ratio as 0·019, 6·55, 5·58, 6·25, 8·30 and 6·78 in the six types respectively. Das, Mitra & Nayudamma (1963) mentioned that the percentage of coarse hairs was about 35 in Indian goats. According to CLRI (1963) the density of hairs in Calcutta Black Bengal goats varies between 9000 and 13000/in.2 of the skin surface area and coarse hairs constituted about 28% of the total hairs. Ryder (1966) mentioned that the S/P ratio in Australian goats ranged from less than 5/1 to 7/1. He also noted the S/P value in Scottish goats as 3/1–5/1 and that in female Toggen-burg goats as 2·5/1–3·9/1. Sar & Calhoun (1966) reported that in Common American goats, three to six secondary follicles were associated with the trio of primary hair follicles. According to Burns (1965) the S/P ratio of Nigerian goats was 4/1. Margolena (1966) reported that in Texas and South African Angora does the primary follicles comprised about 9–14% of the total number of follicles. The purpose of this present investigation is to provide basic information on the S/P follicle ratio in Bangladesh Black Bengal goats.

Data on the inheritance of a closed-flower type in Vicia faba and its effect on bee visits and out-crossing are presented.

Closed flower was recessive to normal flower and segregation in the F2 generation showed monofactorial inheritance. The flowers remained more or less closed, they lacked the typical scent and generally the bees avoided them.

Six per cent out-crossing was observed. It is suggested that if spontaneous self pollinating occurs the closed-flower habit could prevent out-crossing, and could be a valuable contribution to breeding an obligate autogamous Vicia faba.