40 



Anthropological Investigations. 



dren in Massachusetts, it would appear that after 15 or 16 years of 

 age the greater proportion of growth of the lower limbs ceases and 

 that from then onward, up to the end of the growing period, the 

 body seems to increase slightly in proportion to the lower extremi- 

 ties. 



An interesting feature which can be observed in the above figures 

 is the greater proportionate length, by an average of about 1 per 

 cent., of the total body height of the lower limbs in the negro chil- 

 dren. 



When I compare my sitting height indexes with similar indexes 

 obtained by Dr. West, it appears that the indexes of Dr. West's chil- 

 dren were at all ages somewhat smaller or that the lower extremities 

 in these children were at all ages somewhat longer than they are in 

 our children in the asylum. The difference amounts on an average 

 to from 1 to 1.5 per cent of the body height. These figures make me 

 think that it is possible that it is in the lower extremities where lies 

 the principal defect in the growth of the badly nourished children; 

 but I can say nothing positive on this point. Similar differences 

 exist, I have some reason to believe, between free, well nourished, 

 and asylum colored children. 



Sitting Height. 



