[Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci.. Vol. XX. Xo. 7, Part II, pp. 355-364. 7 February, 



1911.] 



MEASUBEMEXTS OF DAKOTA INDIAN CHILDREN^ 



BY CLARK WISSLER 



The measurements here discussed were made by Dr. J. R. Walker, for 

 thirteen years physician in charge at the Pine Ridge Agency, in connec- 

 tion with the regular inspection of children required in the administra- 

 tion of the Indian schools. These include stature, weight and chest 

 measurements of all ages to maturit}^, for both full and mixed blood 

 individuals. The writer compiled these measurements and presents in 

 tlie following pages a discussion of the results as compared with those 

 secured for white children under similar conditions. While the number 

 of cases for each age and sex is much less than desirable, it is probable 

 that from no other definite Indian group could so great a number be 

 obtained in the same period of thne, tliis being one of the largest reserva- 

 tions. The number of full bloods is estimated as 5242 and mixed bloods 

 as 1877. Of these, Dr. Walker has 1770 and 1193 measurements re- 

 spectively. The Indians on Pine Ridge Reservation are chiefly of the 

 Ogallala subdivision of the Teton, with an almost negligible mixture of 

 Cheyenne. The mixed bloods are due to white men marrying Indian 

 women and include in our classification the offspring of all such unions 

 even to the third degree. 



So far as we know, no such extended series of measurements have been 

 reported for the children of a single tribe. Mention may be made, how- 

 ever, of some fragmentary series for Indians of the Southwest and 



IVIexico by Dr. Ales Hrdlicka.' 



As the values of these measurements will depend almost entirely upon 

 the accuracy of the ages given for children, it seems best to take up that 

 j)oint at once. AMiile Dr. Walker and the writer are sure that there is 

 here sufficient accuracy for our purpose, the mere assertion of it will not 

 suffice. For several years, the agency at Pine Ridge has kept a birth 

 record and enforced registration of all births. The registration in day 

 schools, which all children of proper age are required to attend, also serves 



1 Investigation prosecuted with the aid of a grant from the Esther Herrman Research 

 Fund of the New York Academy of Sciences. 

 ■ Biireau of American Ethnology, Bull. .34. 



(355) 



