The secret of the waves

[Ferretfancy]

Are you taking the peas, Throppers?

Mind you, Mendel was an Augustinian friar so scotty might listen

Presumably Mendel had a tonsure.

Incidentally there's an unsubstantiated story that Darwin's library contained a copy of the journal in which Mendel's ideas were published. The surrounding pages were cut as was customary, but the Mendel article had not been cut and remained unread.

Had the great man been able to study the physical mechanism of inheritance, his theory would have been complete. We were always taught at school that Mendel lived in obscurity, but in fact he corresponded regularly with scientific colleagues. I've not been able to find out if the Darwin story is correct, it could be myth.

[Serial_Apologist]

Presumably Mendel had a tonsure.

Incidentally there's an unsubstantiated story that Darwin's library contained a copy of the journal in which Mendel's ideas were published. The surrounding pages were cut as was customary ...

Short back and sides?

[scottycelt]

Oh dear. Somebody needs to relearn their Mendelian inheritance theory. Words you might like to investigate include dominant, recessive, allele.

I can hardly contain my enthusiasm and excitement at the very prospect, Thropplenoggers ...

However, if the inheritance factor (as mentioned in the Big Site of Amazing Facts) means that one can just as likely end up with glossy, silky hair when one (or both) parents have thick, curly hair it rather renders that particular factor pretty useless and meaningless, does it not?

For all we know, amateur51's parents may well have been extraordinary folk of the highest intelligence, for goodness sake ...

[Thropplenoggin]

I can hardly contain my enthusiasm and excitement at the very prospect, Thropplenoggers ...

However, if the inheritance factor (as mentioned in the Big Site of Amazing Facts) means that one can just as likely end up with glossy, silky hair when one (or both) parents have thick, curly hair it rather renders that particular factor pretty useless and meaningless, does it not?

For all we know, amateur51's parents may well have been extraordinary folk of the highest intelligence, for goodness sake ...

Not if you know the hair type of your maternal and paternal grandparents and great-grandparents, it doesn't.

[amateur51]

For all we know, amateur51's parents may well have been extraordinary folk of the highest intelligence, for goodness sake ...

Well they were Welsh rather than Scots so you're probably on to a winner there, scotty

[french frank]

Well, getting back to answering Mr Grew's query, it seems to be that the commonest cause is that 'gentlemen' are born with wavy hair, rather than that they fiddle about with hair wavers or curlers. However, should he himself wish to pursue such a course, it appears that ebay might be a place to look.

And, yes, of course, one can inherit characteristics from grandparents and great grandparents which aren't present in either of one's parents. It's still heredity.

[Serial_Apologist]

Well, getting back to answering Mr Grew's query, it seems to be that the commonest cause is that 'gentlemen' are born with wavy hair, rather than that they fiddle about with hair wavers or curlers. However, should he himself wish to pursue such a course, it appears that ebay might be a place to look.

And, yes, of course, one can inherit characteristics from grandparents and great grandparents which aren't present in either of one's parents. It's still heredity.

Ah, so that explains why I have green eyes and relatively fair hair. What a relief!

[scottycelt]

Not if you know the hair type of your maternal and paternal grandparents and great-grandparents, it doesn't.

Funny that. I grew up with four siblings with (presumably) the same maternal/paternal grandparents and great-grandparents. One of us has straight black hair (now greying rapidly), two are straight-haired brunettes, one has flowing red hair and the other has thick red curly hair. My paternal great-grandfather was as bald as a coot.

I think we've now covered (our heads included) just about everything apart from blond(e) hair and wigs.

[Thropplenoggin]

Funny that. I grew up with four siblings with (presumably) the same maternal/paternal grandparents and great-grandparents. One of us has straight black hair (now greying rapidly), two are straight-haired brunettes, one has flowing red hair and the other has thick red curly hair. My paternal great-grandfather was as bald as a coot.

I think we've now covered (our heads included) just about everything apart from blond(e) hair and wigs.

What, all his life? Is this a medical first or a record-breaker? Get Norris McWhirter on the blower, pronto!

Not wishing to cast aspersions, but your family may be suffering from 'gold top' syndrome. What did the local milkman look like?

[vinteuil]

... I'm sure Mr Grew will remember that - "Friday Night is Amami Night!"