THE RATE OF GROWTH 



[CH. 



The weight-length coefficient, or ponderal index, k, in young Belgians 

 (From Quetelefs figures) 



The infant is plump and chubby/ and the ponderal index is at 

 its highest at a year old. As the boy grows, it is in stature that he 

 does so most of all; his ponderal index falls continually, till the 

 growing years are over, and the lad "fills out" and grows stouter 

 again. During prenatal Ufe the index varied httle, and less than 

 we might suppose : 



Relation between length and weight of the human foetus 

 (From Scammon's data) 



2-9 

 2-2 

 2-2 

 2-2 



io 



2-2 

 2-3 

 2-3 

 2-3 

 2-3 



As a further illustration of the rate of growth, and of unequal 

 growth in various directions, we have figures for the ox, extending 

 over the first three years of the animal's life, and giving (1) the 

 weight of the animal, month by month, (2) the length of the back, 

 from occiput to tail, and (3) the height to the withers. To these 

 I have added (4) the ratio of length to height, (5) the weight-length 

 coefficient, k, and (6) a similar coefficient, or index-number, k' , for 



