Jargon

On the genetics of dog breeding: "Dog coats come in three forms: smooth (ie, short), long and wiry. Some dogs also have what fanciers refer to as 'furniture', notably moustaches. Dr Ostrander found that 80% of the variation between breeds in coat form and furniture was explained by differences in just three genes."

On Bob Marley: "Marley, as Toynbee writes, was initially skeptical about Perkins's contribution, but came around on hearing the subtle color his work added; he signaled his approval by offering Perkins a draw on his personal marijuana cigar (or 'spliff')."