58 ALES' HRDLIKA 



costal spaces; and not seldom, especially in the wooden compasses, the 

 branches are not rigid enough, which results in some error of measure- 

 ment. 



The writer's instrument consists of a hollow rod, 70 cm. long, 2.2 cm. 

 broad and 0.8 cm. thick, made of well nickeled and welded brass 

 strips; and of aluminum branches, 26 cm. long (in the free) and 3.5 cm. 

 broad. It is light, very serviceable, as well as durable, easy working, 

 and accurate (fig. 10). 



9. Tapes. The best anthropometric tapes are made in Paris by 

 instrument makers who stand in connection with the Ecole d'Anthro- 

 pologie. They are made of linen, painted grayish-white, are accurate 

 and non-elastic. The layer of paint and varnish on each side is light 

 and does not crack. One of these tapes gives months to years of 

 service. 



Steel tapes are easier to obtain but less advantageous. They are 

 not so easy to manipulate and read; they are cold and sometimes they 

 break. The steel tape may be used, however, with some advantages 

 on skulls and bones. 



10. Standard Meter (Accessory). A strong lamina of brass, 1 

 meter long, graduated in centimeters and millimeters, standardized in 

 France. Obtainable through the French manufacturers of anthropo- 

 metric instruments. Very useful for testing accuracy of tapes and 

 graduated planes. A laboratory instrument. 



11. Standard Block (Accessory). Block of wood or preferably 

 metal, aluminum or brass, for testing the accuracy of calipers, at 

 5, 10, 15, and 20 cm. spread. The best appliances of this nature are 

 made of metal. They are laboratory accessories. 



12. Dynamometer (Collin or Mathieu). Description unnecessary. 

 No handles requisite for ordinary tests. 



Other dynamometers are made, particularly in England and in the 

 United States, but the results obtained by these are not strictly com- 

 parable with those obtained by the classic French instruments, and 

 the latter are to be preferred on account of their simplicity, long use 

 in anthropometry, and their handiness. 



13. Weighing Scales. The question of weighing scales in Anthro- 

 pometry is one of considerable difficulty, for in general they are heavy 

 and difficult if not impossible of transportation. In the United States 

 and in England, moreover, we have practically no metric scales and 

 must use those of the old system, which necessitates a subsequent 

 conversion of the figures. Suitable weighing scales for infants in 



