652 



menon, begins, is actually the uiidclle of the 10''' jear, so that when 

 a girl has passed the age of ten-and-a-half years one cannot look 

 upon the beginning of tiie menstrual process any more as a sign 

 of pathological precocity, at most as a 'rapid development of the 

 sexual glands. 



TABLE 11. 



Age 



Number 



Age 



Number 



The beginning of the variation-curve in (he middle of the tenth 

 year is a sign that sexual maturity in our country can begin at a 

 comparatively early age and the further course of this line confirms 

 this fact, for it mounts rapidly to reach its lop in the 13''' year. 



Sexual maturity made its appearence before the 12"' year in 

 9 •/, of the girls, before the 13''' year in 26 7,, and in more than 

 half before the 14''' year. The average age of the menarche, taking 

 the months into consideration as well, appears to be 13 years, 9 

 months and 15 days. If one compares this average with others 

 mentioned in the literature, drawn from the population of Western 

 Europe, then it appears that in our population of the present day 

 the menarche, on an average, begins early. 



This commencement, however, is dependent on so many external 

 conditions, that if any conclusions are drawn from a comparison of 

 these averages, this should be done with the greatest care. 



As one of the internal influences determining the age of the 

 menarche, the racial factor is usually mentioned. Several authors 



