44 



Anthropological Investigations. 



Weight — Females. " 



(1) Average weight of asylum children. (2) Average weight of Boston school children. t 



The average weight of the negro children in the asylum was 

 found to be at most ages slightly smaller than was the average 

 weight of white children. How far this fact is correct in general 

 could only be ascertained by much additional investigation. The 

 fact is that white children, particularly white girls, show, at least up 

 to the age of puberty,- more adipose tissue over their body than do 

 the colored children. 



Pressure and Traction Force. 



In connection with the weight I investigated the force of the hands 

 and arms of the children, so far as this can be ascertained by a cor- 

 rect dynamometer. I have tested the pressure in each hand, as well 

 as the traction force of both arms together, taking as usual only the 

 average of three measurements for the records. As the force was 

 found to differ slightly according to the time of the day at which 

 tested, all of the tests were made at similar hours, that is, in the 

 afternoon. 



The figures which I give below show first of all, that average trac- 

 tion force in the children is always considerably smaller than is the 

 pressure force in either hand. 



In the second place we see the pressure force in the right hand to 

 be at most ages greater than is the pressure force of the left hand. 

 In individuals there are numerous exceptions to this rule. We find 

 many children in whom the pressure force is either equal in both 

 hands, or is even greater in the left than in the right. The greater 

 pressure force in the left hand was not observed to be associated with 

 left-handedness of the child, except in a few instances. About half 

 of the number of left-handed children on the other hand, were 



All nationalities, t Weight of clothing not deducted. 



