TYPE AND VARIABILITY 421 



Put in tabular form as it appears in actual work we have the 

 folio vving : 1 



Here we have a " frequency distribution " representing the 

 entire " population," or crop, and as it lies spread out before 

 the eye a glance is sufficient to afford considerable information 

 as to the prevailing type. 



It will be noted at once that there are more ears of 9 inches 

 than of any other length, and that the distribution decreases in 

 both directions, but unequally, from this highest frequency. 



The mode. This highest frequency, or most common length, 

 shows clearly what is the prevailing type in the crop, as distinct 

 from the selective type of 10 inches in the seed ear, and it is 

 held by statisticians and by students generally to be the best 

 obtainable single expression for type. When it is ascertained, 



1 This is the most convenient form in which to make the original record. A 

 mark is made for every individual examined, and the additions are readily made. 



