474 WILLIAM WASHINGTON GRAVES 



of any people, but it cannot be too strongly emphasized that a particular 

 scapular type is not an equally dependable indication of fitness (excellent, 

 good or poor) in any person. Since each person is a new combination of in- 

 herited variations and environmental acquisitions, if one would properly in- 

 terpret the fitness value of a particular scapular type or of the type of any 

 other inherited variation, the factors of inheritance and environment must 

 be evaluated in the study of each person. 



THE PROMISE OF CONTINUOUS RESEARCH ON FITNESS PROBLEMS 



Consideration of present-day knowledge of heredity and of the relation of 

 heredity to longevity, and further consideration of the investigations, based 

 upon the types of scapulae, clearly show that scapular classification and the 

 age-incidence principle of investigation are two never-before-recognized ap- 

 proaches to the vital and enduring problems of individual, family and racial 

 fitness. 



The results of studies, based upon the types of scapulae given in this note, 

 lead to the reasonable inference that like studies of other inherited variations 

 will yield similar results. Thus far my studies of other inherited variations 

 show that the types of general development, nose, chest and stature do yield 

 similar results. Moreover, my studies indicate that the types of other in- 

 herited variations (ear lobule and helix, face front and profile, dental occlu- 

 sion, skull, neck, larynx, shoulder slant and biacromial and bicristal width) 

 may yield results similar to those derived from scapular classification. Con- 

 tinuous search for those discernible structural inherited variations, coexist- 

 ent with scapular types, which are rather frequent in occurrence; which are 

 permanent in type ; and which disclose age incidences, gives promise of find- 

 ing the excellent, the good and the poor combinations of inherited varia- 

 tions, which will serve as additional approaches to the problems of individ- 

 ual, family and racial fitness. 



To determine who are the unfit, fit or fittest, equal consideration must be 

 given the ever-present variables — inheritance and environment — and the 

 discernible structural inherited variations peculiar to the individual, his 

 family and stock must be recognized, classified, evaluated and correlated. 

 The results of investigations, based upon the types of scapulae, justify the 

 inferences: (1) that the ideals of the Physician, Eugenist, Educator, Soci- 

 ologist and Jurist, expressed in social and racial improvement, will be nearer 

 realization through continuous research on the relation of inherited varia- 

 tions to individual, family and racial fitness; and (2) that such research will 

 lead to more accurate appraisal of individual fitness for health, disease, 

 education, duration of life, mating and parenthood. 



