1899] VARIATION-STATISTICS IN ZOOLOGY 335 
objects, because they can easily be experimented on in regard to 
heredity and local variation. 
If I have succeeded in showing the statistical method of 
investigating variation to be based on logical foundations, and to be 
capable, by its special nature, of yielding new and valuable results 
which cannot be acquired by any other method of investigation, it may 
lead, I hope, to the increased use of the method by zoologists. The 
mathematical training its application requires, does not exceed the 
standard of final high-school examinations. The exact and unambiguous 
results of the analytical method have a charm of their own, and it 
ought not to be forgotten that a precise terminology helps in every 
scientific work. The merely statistical research, whether directed 
towards aetiological or towards morphological problems, is only, I believe, 
the introduction to a more important kind of work, by which statistical- 
analytical and therefore critical results will be established with the 
help of quantitative experiments. To carry out this purpose we 
would need a separate institute, distinguished from the ordinary 
biological laboratory by larger accommodation for breeding experi- 
ments, and from the taxonomic museum by facilities for storing in an 
accessible fashion large quantities of homogeneous individuals which 
may readily be investigated at any time either for controlling or for 
completing former researches. To the eminently practical value of 
such an institution for agriculture, forestry, horticulture, as well as for 
fishery and cattle-breeding, I can now only refer; its chief aim of 
course would be scientific investigation, of which the results are always 
either directly or indirectly valuable to practical life. The first step, 
however, is that the statistical-analytical method be duly recognised 
as a new and important organon in the advancement of biology. 
LIST OF PAPERS CITED. 
1. Brewster, E. T., ‘‘A Measure of Variability and the Relation of Individual Varia- 
tions to Specific Differences,” Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts Sci. vol. xxxii. No. 15, pp. 
268-280, 1897. 
. Bumpus, H. C., ‘‘The Variations and Mutations of the Introduced Sparrow,” vol. 
Lectures Woods Holl (1896), pp. 1-15, 1897. 
“The Variations and Mutations of the Introduced Littorina,” Zool. Bull, vol. 1. 
No. 5, pp. 247-259, 1898. 
—— ‘‘On the Identification of Fish Artificially Hatched,” Amer. Natural. vol. xxxii. 
No. 378, pp. 407-412, 1898. 
. CzErnay, A., ‘‘ Beobachtungen iiber das Variieren der Artkennzeichen der Siisswasser- 
fische in der Umgegend von Charkow,” 1857. Bull. Soc. Imp. Nat. Moscow, vol. 
xxx. No. 1, pp. 227-249, 1857. 
6. Davenport, C. B., and Butiarp, C., ‘Studies in Morphogenesis ; VI. A Contribu- 
tion to the Quantitative Study of Correlated Variation and the Comparative Variability 
of the Sexes,” Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts Sci. vol. xxxii. No. 4, pp. 85-97, 1896. 
7. DunckEr, G., ‘‘ Die Methode der Variationsstatistik,” Arch. Entwickelungsmech., vol. 
viii. No. 1, pp. 112-187. Separately: Leipzig, Engelmann, 1899. 
8. Fretp, W. L. W., ‘‘ A Contribution to the Study of Individual Variation in the Wings 
of Lepidoptera,” Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts Sci. vol. xxxiii. No. 21, pp. 389-395, 1898. 

