168 Dynamic Evolution 



48 such groups containing 506 male-line 

 grandsons. 



Of 48 first-born grandsons 6 were prominent 



Of 48 last-born grandsons 20 were prominent 



Taking them by threes, at the beginning 

 and end of each group, the following was 

 found : 



Of first 144 grandsons born 30 were prominent 



Of last 144 grandsons born 61 were prominent 



Further investigation showed that the ear- 

 lier-born grandsons had the advantage of the 

 later ones in college education. It was the 

 practice in New England at that time to 

 select the eldest son for a college education 

 when it was practicable for only one in the 

 family to have it. 



In the study of genius it has been noticed 

 frequently that intellectual ability has risen 

 gradually through several generations until 

 it culminated in some great man, and then 

 dropped suddenly to mediocrity. A few of 

 these cases were investigated, as far as records 

 gave information, and each case indicated 



