290 ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. 



R.S. TAS, 



information which had been thus derived. He said that 

 one discovery was that the endurance of boys was greater 

 than that of girls, at all ages, and this difference became 

 very striking during adolescence. In generalising on the 

 results of experiments of this nature, the first question 

 that faced the experimenter was how far did the physical 

 and mental developments influence on© another? Did the 

 admission of children of an early age to school tend to 

 hinder their physical development? In regard to this 

 latter question, very accurate measurements could be taken 

 by even unskilled persons. It had been found that the 

 relative growth of the various parts of the body varied 

 very considerably during normal growth, and in some- 

 years was quicker than others. An authority on the sub- 

 ject had said that anthropometry had been able to lay- 

 down very few universal lav/s. The present paper only- 

 touched the fringe of the subject, which was one of vast 

 importance, and required years of study. Why should 

 not the University of Tasmania take up this work, if only 

 in a small way? One of the promising graduates might 

 be chosen and sent to Germany, England, and America to 

 study the subject, and on his return work with the lecturers 

 on education and mental science. Such a scheme Avould 

 be in keeping with the splendid forward movement that 

 was taking place in our University. A laboratory for 

 work of this nature could be equipped at a cost of £70, 

 and all that was w^anted was a man to do the work. In 

 Tasmania we had only small numbers for work of this 

 kind, and there must be large numbers for comparative 

 purposes, but even here w© could do something in the 

 way of experimental education. 



The paper was illustrated by a number of lantern slides 

 of the apparatus used in the study of the physical and' 

 mental characteristics of children. 



A discussion followed, in which Mr. L. F. Giblin, 

 M.H.A., and Messrs. J. A. McElroy, S. R. Dickinson, L. 

 Dechaineux, G. V. Brooks, and Newham Waterw^orth 

 joined. 



8ih September, 19]:]. 



The Monthly General Meeting was held at the Museum 

 at 8 p.m., Dr. A. H. Clarke in the chair. 



Election of Member. 

 Mr. C. E. Masterman was clecte<;l a member. 



