66 American Statistical Association. 



" It would be interestiug to determine, by more extended observa- 

 tions, in what races and under what climatic conditions the growth of 

 girls, at about the period of puberty, is the most rapid. It is possible 

 that in this way facts may be discovered bearing upon the alleged 

 inferiority in physique of American women." 



To explain the discrepancy thus apparent in the results of 

 observations in different countries, a renewed investigation 

 seemed to be necessary, and, as a contribution to our knowl- 

 edge of the subject, a systematic measurement of the pupils, 

 in the public schools of Boston, was undertaken.* 



The nature and object of the inquiry are explained in the 

 following letter, read by Dr. D. F. Lincoln at the meeting of 

 the Social Science Association at Detroit, in 1875, with the 

 hope of exciting an interest in the subject, which might lead 

 to similar investigations in other parts of the country : — 



" The object of ascertaining the heights and weights of the pupils 

 in the public schools of Boston is to determine the rate of growth of 

 the human race under the conditions which Boston presents. It is, 

 of course, very desirable that similar observations should be made in 

 other parts of the country, in order to enlarge the number of data 

 from which conclusions may be drawn. This country offers an excel- 

 lent field for investigations of this sort, not only on account of the 

 wide range of climatic conditions which it presents, but from the fact 

 that the inhabitants are the immediate descendants of a large number 

 of different races. If we can compare, therefore, the rate of growth 

 of a race in their native land with the rate of growth of the same 

 race after emigration to this country, we shall be able to study the 

 effect of transplantation into new climatic conditions ; and if we com- 

 pare together the amount of change which the rate of growth of dif- 

 ferent races undergoes after emigration to this country, we shall have 

 data for estimating the relative adaptability of the races in question 



* The necessary authority for the work was granted by the school committee in the fol- 

 lowing order : — 



In School, Committee, March 9, 1875. 

 Ordered, That permission be given to Prof. Henry P. Bowditch, of Harvard University, 

 to iiscertain the height and weight of the [jupils attending the public schools, through such 

 an arrangement as the respective chairmen and the head masters, or masters, may deem 

 most convenient. 



Attest : JJebnabd Capen, Secretary. 



