230 



HEREDITY AND SEX 



to 100 females 



Males 



Italy ........ 105.8 



France 104.6 



England 103.6 



Germany 105.2 



Austria 105.8 



Hungary 105.0 



Switzerland 104.5 



Belgium 104.5 



Holland 105.5 



Spain 108.3 



Russia 105.4 



to report the birth of a boy is more hkely to lead to the 

 imposition of a fine on account of the conscription. 



There can be no doubt, however, that sHghtly more 

 males than females are born. Moreover, if the still- 

 born infants alone are recorded, surprisingly large ratios 

 occur, as shown in the next table. 



Males 



Italy 131.1 



France 142.2 



Germany 128.3 



Austria 132.1 



Hungary 130.0 



Switzerland 135.0 



Belgium 132.1 



Holland 127.7 



Sweden 135.0 



Norway 124.6 



Denmark 132.2 



to 100 females 



And if abortive births are also taken into account, the 

 ratio is still higher. It seems that the male embryo 

 is not so strong as the female, or else less likely, from 

 other causes, to be born alive. 



In manv of the domesticated animals also, especially 



