Beornings

[Maerbenn]

Originally Posted by Wayfarer

Because he passed it on to his descendents.

Do we really know that it was a hereditary trait?

[Last Child of Ungoliant]

Originally Posted by Maerbenn

Do we really know that it was a hereditary trait?

yes we know that passing things on to descendants is a hereditary trait.

[Maerbenn]

The relevant passage in The Hobbit reads:

Beorn indeed became a great chief afterwards in those regions and ruled a wide land between the mountains and the wood; and it is said that for many generations the men of his line had the power of taking bear’s shape, and some were grim men and bad, but most were in heart like Beorn, if less in size and strength.

What I meant was:

do we really know that the ability was transmitted genetically?

[me9996]

Originally Posted by Yodaman

I have a question about Beorings. In the Silmarilion Beren changed into and Orc and a Wolf (think- it's been a couple of years since I've read it), but in the Hobbit Beorn changed into a bear and nothing else. Can Beorings only change into one being, or can they turn into many?

If I am correct (I very likely might be wrong) Beorn was something called a "Skin-changer", or was it a... Anyway he was some sort of skin related thing...

[Maerbenn]

Originally Posted by me9996

If I am correct (I very likely might be wrong) Beorn was something called a "Skin-changer", or was it a... Anyway he was some sort of skin related thing...

Yes; Gandalf tells Mr. Baggins in ‘Queer Lodgings’:

“… He is a skin-changer. He changes his skin: sometimes he is a huge black bear, sometimes he is a great strong black-haired man with huge arms and a great beard. …”