3 io 



It is not stated on what basis the expected numbers in the 

 third column were calculated. Granted that these numbers are 

 free from criticism the number of first born is strikingly larger 

 than the expected proportion. Professor Gini is cautious about 

 stating to what extent the superior attainments of the first born 

 depend upon social considerations such as " the desire of parents 

 to see their eldest child occupy a position that will reflect honor 

 upon the family," and various other factors that are in no way 

 related to biological influences. 



Galton in his studies of British men of science found 26 eldest 

 sons, 15 youngest sons and 36 of intermediate position. Similar 

 findings for 50 eminent men are reported by Yoder. Havelock 

 Ellis in his study of the birth order of British men of genius gives 

 the following table showing the position of the genius in the 

 family: 



Ordinal Rank of Men of Genius in the Family 



Here again the honors fall predominantly to the first member of 

 the family, but whether the reasons are mainly biological or social 

 remains in doubt. 1 



1 Confirmatory results are yielded by Cattell's studies of the birth ranks of 



