550 REPORT—1890. 
boots or shoes on the feet, and the thickness of the heel; by subtracting 
the latter the actual stature was determined: the height when sitting 
and when kneeling with the body in an upright position; the maximum 
length and breadth of the head, and the cephalic index: the vertical 
distance or projection from the vertex to the tragus, to the mouth and to 
the chin respectively ; the length and breadth of the nose and nasal 
index; the length and breadth of the face (the former measured from 
the nasion to the under surface of the chin, the fatter the greatest width — 
between the external surfaces of the zygomata),,and the facial index 
obtained from these measurements ; the length of cubit and of middle 
finger ; the space of arms measured across the back; the weight in ordi- 
nary walking clothing ; the strength of pull with right and left hands, 
and the strength of pull of a person, being the mean pull of the two 
hands; the vital capacity of the chest. In males the circumference of 
the chest during greatest inspiration and during forced expiration were 
ascertained and the difference recorded. The vision of each eye and the 
power of distinguishing colour were the only observations made on the 
efficiency of the senses. As on previous occasions, a duplicate form was 
provided of these observations, and by means of a sheet of carbon paper 
a duplicate copy of the measurements was made and handed to each 
person who submitted to the various tests. 
The number of persons measured was 125; of these 81 were males 
and 44 females. The time occupied in going through the various tests 
was about a quarter of an hour per person. During the first day the 
number of members and associates who found their way to the labora- 
tory were small, consequently the number of observations made that day 
were few. Afterwards, however, the numbers were increased and the 
attendants and one or other of the secretaries (when the latter was able 
to leave the duties of the Section room and take part in the laboratory 
work) were kept very busy. Indeed it was impossible for the staff to 
measure nearly all who presented themselves for that purpose, notwith- 
‘standing that the laboratory was kept open daily from 19 a.m. till 4 p.m. 
till the close of the meeting. 
The work of the laboratory was ample to test the capabilities of the 
instruments, and although these were, on the whole, very satisfactory for 
the purposes for which they were intended, yet improvements were sug- 
gested by practical experience which would render them more efficient. — 
During the winter these alterations have been carried out. It must be re- — 
membered, however, that the funds subscribed were only sufficient to — 
purchase the most necessary instruments in the first instance, and that — 
some more apparatus is still necessary before the laboratory can be con- — 
sidered to be efficiently equipped. i 
In compiling the results of the observations made in the laboratory — 
last year at Newcastle, the system of centesimal grades introduced by — 
Mr. Francis Galton has been employed, as in the previous report of the 
laboratory at the Bath Meeting of the Association. This system is found — 
to be less laborious in working, and to give much more information — 
regarding the variations in the series of persons measured. The Com- — 
mittee is also satisfied that the list of measurements adopted last year is — 
a distinct advance on those previously used, in that much more extensive ~ 
information is gained regarding the physical characters of the persons — 
examined, and the results obtained will be more widely comparable to — 
those made in other countries on other races of mankind, being the same 
