430 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



to, as applied to an individual, they arc of great significance as applied to 

 the race. The profound investigations in ethnology will result in the 

 demand for all observations possible regarding the physique of man; and, 

 the more perfect they become by measurements, the more rapid will be 

 the unfolding of the greatest mystery connected with the development of 

 races. 



Dr. Rich. — The subject of the measurement of the size, form and forces 

 of the human body is a very important one, and to which, as yet, littlo 

 attention has been paid in this country. It is not so in Europe. The pupils 

 of the schools in England are measured, and much interest is taken in the 

 testing of physical strength. This is also done in the larger schools of 

 Paris. I was much interested while there, several years ago, in witnessing 

 their method of measurement, and I have had the honor of having my 

 system adopted in their schools. 



^fr. J. Johnson. — I have seen it stated that measurements of the human 

 body have been made by the photograph. The person being placed on a 

 revolving stand, pictures are taken in different sides and positions, from 

 which the size and shape of body can be accurately determined, 



Mr. Benjamin Garvey. — I should think, Mr. Chairman, this style of 

 measurement would be very defective, as the photographic process can 

 give no actual measurement, but merely an outline of the body; and iu 

 taking the size of the head the hair will prevent any just conception of the 

 size of the skull; and there is no rule by which this error can be eliminated. 

 Nothing, in my judgment, will answer but an instrument that will measure 

 the shape, size and sinuosities of the head and bod}', so that degrees of 

 comparison can be instituted with individuals of different nations. 



Dr. Rich. — I saw in Paris, some years ago, a very ingenious instrument 

 for measuring the form of the bod3^ It was made something like the con- 

 formater used by hatters for measuring the shape of the head. It consisted 

 of a series of pins, which were acted upon by screws so that the pins 

 could be elevated or depressed to the slightest curve. By this instrument 

 we were able to get a most accurate outline of surface of busts and other 

 unequal surfaces, but it was used chiefly for taking very remarkable curva- 

 tures or deformities. I used it myself, in taking curvatures of the spine, 

 and I found it exceedingly'- accurate. 



The Chairman. — The same principle was applied by Mr. Hamilton Towle 

 in his instrument for measuring the curves of the bottom and sides of ves- 

 sels while in the water, so that when the vessel is placed on the stocks for 

 repairs, corresponding props to suit the curves can be placed underneath, 

 thereby avoiding any strain to the vessel or machinery. 



CePHALO METER. 



Mr. Enos Stevens exhibited his cephalometer, for measuring the size, curves 

 and angles of the head, and showed several charts of the heads of promi- 

 nent public men taken by this instrument. He said that some important 

 facts had been developed by this machine in taking the measurement of the 

 heads of the inmates of the Idiot Asylum in Boston, which, at the sugges- 

 tion of the Chairman, Mr. Stevens said he would embody in a paper to be 

 read at a future meeting. 



