68 American Statistical Association. 



were usually recorded at the nearest tenth of an inch, but in 

 some instances at tlie nearest quarter inch. In the case of 

 one set of papers, wliere they were given at the nearest inch, 

 the observations were rejected in calculating the averages. 



The weights were determined by Fairbanks' platform scales 

 weighing to ounces ; but, in view of the error necessarily 

 introduced by the unknown weight of the clothing, they were 

 recorded only at the nearest quarter pound. The allowance 

 to be made for clothing in calculating the average net weight 

 will be considered later.* 



The birthplace of the pupils was recorded with the view of 

 discriminating between native and foreign-born children, but 

 the latter were found to be so few in number that it was 

 thought best to disregard entirely the data of this column. 



The nationality (i. c, the native country) of the parents 

 was ascertained by questioning the pupils. In a few instances 

 where, owing to the youth or ignorance of the pupils, the 

 result of this inquiry was unsatisfactory, the necessary infor- 

 mation was obtained through tlie police. It is not to be sup- 

 posed that the data recorded under this heading are absolutely 

 accurate. There are doubtless instances where foreign-born 

 parents are recorded as American ; but this probably occurs 

 chiefly in those instances where the parents have emigrated 

 to this country in very early life, and have thus become com- 

 pletely acclimated before the birth of their children. For a 

 thorough study of the effect of climate in modifying the rate 

 of growth of different races, it would, of course, be important 

 to ascertain the nationality of the ancestors of the pupils for 

 several generations ; but this inquiry seemed quite impracti- 

 cable for the generality of public-school pupils, and was 

 therefore not attempted. Data of this sort were, however, 



* Notwithstandinp; the many advantages of the metric system of weights and measures, 

 it was not employed in this investigation, because it was considered that, the measurements 

 being taken by many different individuals, greater accuracy would be secured by the use of 

 familiar units. Moreover, the general results being expressed in comparatively few figures 

 can be readily calculated in the metric system, and thus made comparable with those of 

 observations taken in Continental Europe. 



