472 



POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



surely identified as a bit of the prehistoric Cro-Magnon race persist- 

 ing here in relative purity. These ethnic facts correspond to phys- 

 ical ones; three areas of geographical isolation dark-colored are 



Cephalic Index 

 France 



AND BELCiVM 



g8>5 aod 86 

 l87and88 



"roundheads 



AFTER COLLWNON AND fctOUZE 

 16650 OBSERVATIONS 



distinct centers of distribution of the Alpine race. These differ in 

 intensity. The high Alps of Savoy are the most isolated of all; 

 Auvergne, the south central plateau, follows next in order. These 

 two are populated by quite pure Alpine types. Brittany, most 

 accessible of the three, contains only an attenuation of this broad- 

 headed race, the Teutons having infiltrated through it quite gen- 

 erally. 



The organization of the family is the surest criterion of the stage 

 of social evolution attained by a people. No other phase of human 

 association is so many-sided, so fundamental, so pregnant for the 

 future. For this reason we may properly begin our study by an 

 examination of a phenomenon which directly concerns the stability 

 of the domestic institution viz., divorce. What are the facts as to 

 its distribution in France? Owing to the influence of the Catholic 

 Church, no actual divorces were allowed by law in that country prior 



