154 RECORDS 



Other, differentiation in the intervals, introduction of mid-Hne 

 and final pauses, catalexis and rhyme. In any sort of rhythm 

 that is objectively expressed, the first unit of a dipody receives 

 the major accent, and also occupies more time than the second 

 unit. Even in a long rhythmic series there is properly no mere 

 reduplication of units, but each unit fulfils a unique function in 

 the series, in virtue of which it is differentiated from all the other 

 units, in emphasis and duration and also in its internal configu- 

 ration. 



Professor Edward L. Thorndike spoke of some general as- 

 pects of the investigation which he is at present carrying on 

 in the correlations amongst mental abilities. He found that 

 regular correlation, where each degree of one function involves 

 a similar degree of the other, is by no means the rule in the 

 case of mental abilities. The relationships are often extremely 

 irregular. For instance a high degree of one ability may go 

 with a high degree of another but all other grades may involve 

 no similarity in the other. A single coefficient of correlation in 

 such cases is of course an absurdity. Correlations seem more 

 marked between complex than between simple abilities. A 

 variation of the Pearson method was outlined, which is well 

 adapted to work with mental correlations and especially with 

 studies involving few cases. 



As samples of his results, Dr. Thorndike demonstrated the 

 absence of correlation between certain motor and mental tests, 

 the pronounced correlation between ability to spell and ability 

 to notice the structure of words, the pronounced correlations be- 

 tween school marks in different subjects and the lesser degrees 

 of correlation in the case of objective tests in the same subjects. 



Mr. J. Franklin Messenger outlined an Experimental 

 Study of Number Perception. His experiments had reference 

 to the so-called space threshold in tactile sensations, to the 

 fusion of touch sensations, and to the perception of number 

 through touch. The validity of a threshold determined only 

 by the distance apart of the two points applied to the skin was 

 denied, because distance is only one of the elements on which 

 the perception is based, and often not the most important ele- 



