vo 
symmetrically in relation to a line, indicating the route or course 
that is followed by the transformation of the species. If we consider 
this representation, it is in the first place remarkable that the so-called 
normal vertebral column has not the absolute majority, but only a 
relative one. There are in the stage /// 26 vertebral columns. 
Further the attention is drawn by the fact that the stages //e and 
If contain a rather great number of specimens. 
In the stage //e the 30" vertebra is a sacrocaudal vertebra. The 
loosening of this vertebra from the sacrum is morphologically a com- 
plicated process; it is therefore clear that it is not so soon finished, 
and that consequently a rather great number of individuals are at 
the same time in stage //e. There are 23 of them. 
In stage //f 5 candal vertebrae are extant, the last is the 34th 
vertebra. This must be reduced, then the stage /// is attained. The 
reduction of this vertebra is morphologically a comparatively simple 
process, consequently there are fewer specimens found in this stage 
than in stage //e. This reduction, however, is physiologically of little 
importance; this may be a reason of retardation of the process, so 
that after all as many as 14 individuals have stopped in this stage. 
It stands to reason that the more primitive and the most modified 
forms are found only in small numbers in the relative stages. 
As the series of the formulas allows of an arrangement of the 
examined vertebral columns, this series gets the value of a scale or 
standard by which we can ascertain the degree of development, 
reached by the examined organ for every group of men that can 
anthropologically be distinguished. 
It is true the number of 100 vertebral columns is not sufficient 
to pronounce a decisive opinion in an anthropological regard. 
But in a methodological regard the result we have obtained is, in 
my opinion, sufficient to confirm the conviction, that, by this method, 
when many individuals are examined, it is possible to fix for every 
nation the degree of development, attained with regard to the organ 
examived or to other organs, provided that for each a series of 
stages be established. 
So I am of opinion that it would be worth while applying this 
method of investigation to races of men that in anthropological 
regard stand widely apart from each other. 
This might be done, if in preparation-rooms of various countries, 
provided with the required number of corpses, the same investigations 
were made. 
It is very likely that rather different arrangements of individuals 
by the scale of the formulas would be found, and that it would 
