The American Isolates: The Little Races

In order to bring the study of bi- and tri-mixed racial groups in America and elsewhere into the general body of racial theory, it is suggested that such groups be considered "little races" From this point of view, considerations having to do with "racialization" and "de-racialization" may find a place in a larger frame of reference along with tribalization, detribalization, and processes leading to group differentiation generally. The little races are marginal groups, but not necessarily aggregations of marginal men. They are made aware of themselves as marginal groups as they become objects of scurrilous epithets thrown at them by larger neighboring racial groups. This leads to a search for a name of dignity, a name inherited from "pure" and honorable ancestors. A number of such origin myths are mentioned. Modern ecological, economic, political, and social changes threaten the future of the little races.     

The Seronera bull problem: The elephants

(1) The activities of bull elephants in the vicinity of the Serengeti National Park headquarters at Seronera was monitored from 1968 to 1971. (2) Elephant bulls congregate in small groups of ever–changing composition; a dominance heirarchy cuts across group integrity. (3) Occupancy of the drainage area of the Seronera river is predictable by rainfall; changes in occupancy level are a question of duration rather than amplitude. (4) The feeding behaviour of the bulls is described. It is argued that large Acacia trees are uprooted for nutritional rather than social reasons. The effects of the bulls on the Seronera woodlands will be analysed in Part II (Croze, 1974).     

Ablastin: The phenomenon

A brief report is made of a conference held on the subject of ablastic immunity. Included are the background of the meeting, its organization, and its purpose, which was to summarize our knowledge of the subject and to consider future research plans. A list of some of the research problems discussed by the participants and possible experimental approaches for their resolution are presented. The report also serves as an introduction to a series of papers by the participants of the conference published concurrently.