August 1, 1899.] 



KNOWLEDGE 



169 



Founded by RICHARD A. PROCTOR. 

 LONDON: AUGUST 1, 1899. 



CONTENTS. 



On the Treatment and Utilization of Anthropological 

 Data. — IV. Height. By Abthue Thomsoit, m.a., h.b. 



The Karkinokosm, or World of Crustacea, — X. 

 Weapons and Wiles. By the Rev. Thomas E. B. 

 Stbbbixo, m.a., F.B.3., F.L.S., F.z.s. (Illustrated) 



A Contrast in Noses. By R. Ltdekkeb. {Plate) 



Some Suspected Variable Stars. By J. E. Gtobe, p.b.a.s. 



The New Algol Variable in Cygnus + 45° 3062. By 

 Edwaed C. PiCKEBiya 



British Ornithological Notes. Conducted by Eabby F. 



WlTHEBBT, F.z.s. , ST.B.O.tT 



Science Notes .. 



Obituary: Sir William Flower 



Letters : Jos. F. Geeen ; W. H. S. Monck ; E. E. Maek- 



WICK, Col.; &EEN-V1I,LE A. J. CoLK ; J. E. GOEE 



Notices of Books 



BOOES Eeceited 



Two Months on the Guadalquiver. — III. Reeds and 



Rushes. Bv Habbt F. Withebbt, f.z.s., m.b.o.u. 



{Illustrated) 



Secrets of the Earth s Crust.— IV. A Caldron of the 

 Rocks. By Gekntille A. J. Cole, si.e.i.a., f.g.s. 



Notes on Comets and Meteors. By W. F. Dexning, 

 f.b.a.8 ." 



Microscopy. By John H. Cooke, f.l.s., f.g.s 



The Face of the Sky for August. Bv A. Fowleb, 

 f.e.a.s ". ,' 



Chess Column. By C. D. Lococz, b.a- 



169 



171 

 174 

 176 



177 



178 

 178 

 17S 



179 

 LSI 

 183 



186 



189 

 190 



191 

 191 



ON THE TREATMENT AND UTILIZATION OF 

 ANTHROPOLOGICAL DATA. 



By Arthue Thomson, m.a., m.b. 

 IV.— HEIGHT. 



THE question of height is one which requires careful 

 consideration. Apart from the mere enumeration 

 of measurements, and the averages deduced 

 therefrom, we have to ascertain as far as possible 

 the factors which determine those variations in 

 stature. The height of the body depends not only on the 

 length of the trunk and head combined, but also on the 

 length of the lower limbs. We may have individuals 

 possessed of trunks of the same proportions, but differing 

 much in height, in such, the difference is due to the 

 variation in the leg length. Common experience shows 

 that it is a matter of difficulty to estimate correctly the 

 individual height of a group of people seated round a 

 table ; it is only when they rise from their chairs that we 

 gain a correct idea of their relative proportions. 



In order to understand our increase in stature from 

 childhood to the adult condition, the reader must be 

 familiar with the mode in which the long bones grow. 



Each long bone ia provided with a shaft and two 

 extremities, and these several parts are each developed 

 from independent ossific centres ; thus the shaft, or 

 diaphysis, grows from a single ossifying column, while the 

 extremities, or epiphyses, are developed from one or several 

 ossific nuclei. In consequence, the growth of the bone in 

 length takes place in relation to each extremity, and so 

 long as this growth is going on, we assume that the 

 individual has not reached the stage of maturity. 



A study of the statistics relating to growth has shown 

 that there are periods in our life when development ia 

 taking place more quickly than at other times. Thus in 

 the early years of infancy, increase in bulk takes place 

 with great rapidity, succeeded by a period when growth is 

 more slow and uniform. About the age of puberty, how- 

 ever, a fresh stimulus seems to stir the tissues, and hence 

 we have at this time an increase in height often 

 characterised by marked rapidity. As these changes must 

 of necessity be associated with a great increase in the 

 number, and it may be, in the size of the cells which con- 

 stitute the tissues of our body, it is obvious that at these 

 times of special activity the drain on the system must be 

 great, and can only be met by the provision of suitable food, 

 and surroundings congenial to health. 



Here, then, we have very sound reasons for taking all 

 possible precautions to provide a diet adapted to meet the 

 requirements of the organism, for failing such it can be 

 readily understood how the natural growth might be 

 stunted for want of proper nutrition. But it is not merely 

 a question of food, the surroundings are, in a way, almost 

 as important. Statistics prove that those whose occupa- 

 tion keeps them out of doors are as a rule taller than 

 those whose labours confine them to a closer atmosphere, 

 and it is just at the age that the boys and girls of our 

 manufacturing centres are turned into the factoiies that 

 they are most likely to benefit by improved hygienic con- 

 ditions. It is a matter for congratulation that recent 

 legislation has to some extent improved the condition of 

 the " half-timers." 



PSut whilst errors in growth may be partly accounted 

 for by modified nutrition and varying climatic and hygienic 

 influences, the facts above stated are not sufficient to 

 explain the circumstance that we meet with races li\ing 

 side by side displaying very different proportions. Just as 

 in the case of the Itahan greyhound we have a breed 

 distinct from its near ally the English greyhound, so we 

 have in mankind those races which are characterised by 

 their small height as contrasted with the larger propor- 

 tions of other members ot the same stock, thus proving 

 that heredity is a factor of no small importance. Con- 

 sidering the vast admixture of blood in most of the popula- 

 tions that are scattered over the surface of the earth, it is 

 almost impossible to get satisfactory data as to permanency 

 of type, yet recent experience in this country and in France 

 has proved that evidence of a confirmatory sort may 

 frequently be obtained in support of the migration and 

 location of certain stocks. In what we call the EngUsh 

 and the Scotch we have a mixed race, and though an 

 average derived from all the measurements taken may be 

 of service for comparison with the population of other 

 eotmtries, it must be pointed out that the resulting 

 figure does not correspond to the height of the greatest 

 number of people. In every race there are a certain 

 number of individuals below or above what we may term 

 the most common height ; the smaller individuals may 

 outnumber, balance, or fall short of the taller individuals, 

 so that their inclusion in the average may, and often 

 does, detract from the value of the result. For this 

 reason the height of a race is best expressed by means of 



