II. 2 



GROWTH 



69 



difference, however, that the rate is not so high in early stages, 

 the descent in later stages less abrupt. This will be seen in 

 Table IV, in which such figures as are obtainable for the pre- 

 natal growth -rate are given, and in Fig. 40, in which the 

 curve of change of growth-rate in human stature has been con- 

 structed from Quetelet's data (male Belgians). The percentage 



50% 



Head-Length. 

 Leg-Length. 

 Stature. 

 Vertebral Column. 



10% 



I I I i i i i i i i i i i i i r 

 Years. 123456789 1011121314151617181920 



FIG. 41. Curves showing the alteration during the first twenty years 

 of life of the rate of growth of stature, length of head, length of vertebral 

 column, and length of leg in the human being (males). (Constructed 

 from Quetelet's data.) Ordinates, percentage increments ; abscissae, years. 



increment in the first year is only 39-6 as against 190-3 for 

 weight, in the second year 13-3 as against 22-2 for weight. 

 Thenceforward the rate slowly declines, until at the fortieth year 

 it is zero, and after the fiftieth year increasingly negative. The 

 rate of increase of stature is always slightly less than that of 



