WHAT ARE ALBINOS?

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 320, 24 December 1929, Page 7

WHAT ARE ALBINOS?

CHANGES IN COLOUR.

In lieu of a better, the world has adopted the word ** albino, 9 * which was applied a century ox more ago by Por. tuguese traders to the “ white negroes'* on the West African coast. Pure albinism, the “absolute zero point ’ * of lack of pigmentation, is relatively easy to identify and *o account, for superficially But where do we i draw the line and begin to apply tbe I word? Prolonged absence from tmiu j light produces in many animals a ternI porary bleaching. They often regain ; the loss upon emerging into daylight- . In those winter changes undergone by" [ the varying hare, common weasel, and. ; ptarmigan grouse, although they retain . their invaluable dark eyes, we have a decolourising process which in a cer- ‘ tain sense is albinism. The out-and- \ out albino sees poorly in bright day- • light; trust-worthy eyesight is a necessity for such animals, especially in winter. The polar bear has no pigment in his fur. There is a certain kind of rabbit whose eyes are pink and fur white, except on ear-tips, tail, and feet. How is he to be classed? When humans are albinos they always possess a peculiarly rough skin, and, as in ani- , mals no pigmentation exists internally