41 



Table also contains the " Admiralty Standard," to which 

 they were always superior, viz., in stature, both ages, by 2*5 

 inches, and in chest-girth by I'o or 0*7 inch, as they were 

 under or over 15. 



These observations were almost unique, inasmuch as 

 they were conducted — 



(i) For a lengthened consecutive period (33 years). 



(2) On a systematic and uniform plan. 



(3) Under a single observer (myself). 



(4) At a peculiarly limited age. 



(5) On a special class, — and especially, 



(6) On the sajne individuals, by which I mean that the 

 stature, weight and chest-girth were inter-associated, and 

 were not obtained from different persons on various occasions, 

 when such were available. Some special or public appoint- 

 ment only can afford similar opportunities, and on so large a 

 scale. 



Comparison with other Boys. 



Before publishing the First Series I was naturally 

 anxious to compare my results with others ; but strange as 

 it may appear, I neither knew then (1869), nor could I hear 

 of any similar observations for this limited age, except a few 

 in the Standard Treatise " On Man, and the Development of 

 his Faculties," by Professor Quetelet, of Brussels (English 

 Translation, W. and R. Chambers, 1842), already quoted, 

 which contained, mainly in its appendix, the only available 

 observations. I gave my comparisons in the above Blue 

 Book, appendix, pp. 16 and 17, but need not repeat them 

 here, as this void has been completely filled by the late 

 researches of the Anthropometric Committee of the British 

 Association. 



The Times of 24th September, 1883, gave an abstract of 

 their Report, headed " British Calibre," but the Report is 

 not yet published. Mr. Brabrook, its Secretary, has kindly 

 favoured me with a copy, and my present endeavour is to 

 keep up the interest on this subject excited by his Paper read 



