RErOKT OF THE ANTHROPOMETRIC COMMITTEE. 271 



Distant Vision. — The Distance at whicli Test-type No, 10 can be read.^ 



' Specimen of Test-type No. 10.— (10 feet.) 



V Z B D F H K 



Judging by the averages it would seem that the near sight (as tested 

 by No. 1) impi'oves from year to year up to 40, but this apparent im~ 

 provement is probably due to the greater ease with which the type is read 

 by the elder pupils and masters. From the great distances at which the 

 No. 1 type has been read, it is probable that considerable efforts have been 

 made to distinguish it at the greatest possible distance rather than at the 

 distance at which it could be read with ease and fluency. The curve 

 formed by the whole number of observations at all ages is remarkably 

 uniform, the ' mean ' being at 20 inches, and the corresponding groups 

 above and below the mean being nearly identical in value. Normal near 

 vision exists in 617 per cent., while 39'4 are above, and 8-9 per cent, 

 below the average. 



The averages do not show any change in the distant vision (as tested 

 by No. 10) up to the age of 40 years, a result which contrasts favourably 

 with similar observations made in German schools and universities, where 

 short-sight has been found to increase rapidly with the extended period 

 of education. The curve formed by the total number of observations is, 

 however, irregular, and consists of two curves having a chief mean at 



