356 REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE. 
adopted is thus seen to exist, and the comparison of the results of different 
observers is nearly impossible. 
Lawrason Brown investigated a series of patients at the Adirondack 
Cottage Sanatorium to ascertain what variations might occur from the 
difference in level at which the measurements were taken. He found 
that the difference between the level of the junction of the fourth costal 
cartilage and the sternum and that of the nipples varied from 1 to 
5 centimetres. Resulting from this the transverse diameter showed a 
variation of less than 1 per cent., while the antero-posterior diameter 
varied considerably from 3 per cent., being deeper at the nipple level. 
A series of confirmatory observations made at the Brompton Hospital 
on male patients showed the difference in level between the fourth costal 
cartilage and the nipple line varied from 1:1 centimetre to 3°5 centi- 
metres. The difference in level between the nipple line and the lower 
end of the sternum showed far greater variations, ranging from 3 to 
9 centimetres, while in female patients the range was only from 1 to 
2 centimetres for the upper levels, and 2 to 5 centimetres at the lower 
levels. 
In one case (a child) the nipple line was actually upon the junction 
of the fourth costal cartilage with the sternum, and the distance from 
this line to the bottom of the sternum was 9 centimetres. The nipple 
line showed a tendency to vary across the level of the fourth and fifth 
interspaces. 
Measurement of the diameters showed a steady increase from above 
downwards, but not so great a proportionate difference as would appear 
from the American results. The level which would seem to approximate 
most closely to the mean of those in constant use is that of the junction 
of the fifth costal cartilage and the sternum ; but, on the other hand, this 
cartilage is more difficult to find than the fourth. 
Taking into consideration, therefore, the results of this investigation, 
with the methods adopted for chest measurement by other observers in 
this and other countries, the Anatomical Sub-Committee do not consider 
that there is any reason for departing from the original decision, viz., that 
the level at which these measurements should be taken is at the point of 
junction of the fourth costal cartilage with the margin of the sternum. 
They are inclined to regard, however, with greater favour the data 
obtained by calliper measurements of the mesial diameter and of the 
transverse diameter of the chest taken at the same level. 
B. Harr Corours. 
The colours proposed comprised the following shades: Fair, light 
brown, dark brown, black, and three shades of red—light, middle, 
and dark. <A series of locks of actual hair have been collected 
corresponding to the above-mentioned shades, but it has been found that 
on keeping them a few weeks the hair showed a tendency to fade, and so 
was no longer an exact match with the hair of the head from which it 
had been derived. This suggests the possibility that, after all, a standard 
series of locks of hair might prove a fallacious guide. All efforts to re- 
produce these colours by means of colour photography, hand-painting, 
and the use of hair dyes proved still more unsuccessful. 
A large series of locks of hair having been collected, it appeared that 
it would be possible to distinguish some thirty to forty distinct shades. 
