2 SCIENCE PROGRESS. 



discover certain physical imperfections. M. Alphonse Ber- 

 tillon, some twenty years ago, devised an excellent series of 

 measurements for the identification of criminals. It will be 

 obvious that a precise and rapid method of identification 

 not only expedites justice and saves expense, but at the 

 same time it is a safeguard to the prisoner, as it prevents 

 his being punished for the crimes of others. It is really 

 beautiful to see the celerity and certitude of the Bertillon 

 system, and it is satisfactory to think that it is now, though 

 tardily, being adopted in the British Islands. This system 

 of identification is one of the practical applications of anthro- 

 pology to ordinary life, and its utility is beyond question. 



Another reason for measuring people is to endeavour to 

 trace their racial characters and affinities. This is why 

 peripatetic observations are made, and why an influential 

 committee has been appointed by the British Association 

 for the Advancement of Science to conduct an Ethno- 

 graphical Survey of the United Kingdom. 



The work done by this committee will be found in the 

 Reports of the Association, but as yet no systematic survey 

 of the British Islands has been attempted. The Ethno- 

 graphical Survey of Ireland has been undertaken by a 

 Dublin committee, which is supported by the Royal Irish 

 A.cademy, and four comprehensive reports x have been 

 published by that body. These reports are drawn up on 

 the following lines : — 



I. Physiography of the district investigated. II. Anthro- 

 pography. — i. Methods; 2. Physical characters with lists of 

 measurements ; 3. Vital Statistics (general and economic), 

 (a) Population, (b) Acreage and Rental, (c) Language and 

 Education, (d) Health ; 4. Psychology ; 5. Folk names. 

 III. Sociology. — 1. Occupations; 2. Family Life and Cus- 



1 "The Ethnography of the Aran Islands, County Galway," by. Prof. 

 A. C. Haddon and Dr. C. R. Browne, Proc. Roy. Irish Acad. (3rd ser.), 

 ii., 1893, pp. 768-830, pis. xxii-xxiv; " The Ethnography of Inishbofin and 

 Inishshark, County Galway," by Ur. C. R. Browne, /. c, hi., 1894, pp. 

 317-370, pis. viii., ix. ; " The Ethnography of the Mullet, Inishkea Islands 

 and Portacloy, County Mayo," by Dr. C. R. Browne, /. c, hi., 1895, pp. 

 587-649, pis. xv.-xvii. ; " The Ethnography of Ballycroy, County Mayo," by 

 Dr. C. R. Browne, /. c, iv., 1897, pp. 74-1 n, pis. hi., iv. 



