310 THE TREND OF THE RACE 
It is not stated on what basis the expected numbers in the 
third column were calculated. Granted that these numbers are 
free from criticism the number of first born is strikingly larger 
than the expected proportion. Professor Gini is cautious about 
stating to what extent the superior attainments of the first born 
depend upon social considerations such as “the desire of parents 
to see their eldest child occupy a position that will reflect honor 
upon the family,” and various other factors that are in no way 
related to biological influences. 
Galton in his studies of British men of science found 26 eldest 
sons, 15 youngest sons and 36 of intermediate position. Similar 
findings for 50 eminent men are reported by Yoder. Havelock 
Ellis in his study of the birth order of British men of genius gives 
the following table showing the position of the genius in the 
family: 
Ordinal Rank of Men of Genius in the Family 
Size of Family Eldest Intermediate Youngest 
Bik iad balioy, tare see oe 15 ) 12 
Biol: GER ale hans Secs Pateg 5 6 II 
Av cass cavuangas<geceaad Io 16 3 
Giied iia than cbinl. eatin aarasy 10 18 7 
Oss aesiaes aiseucsn Gee ae 8 20 6 
ee ee 15 14 5 
ORs eked Hai G osetia ds 2 17 4 
Quit ese ex ei ee cee eeebae: 8 7 4 
TONSA eas cea ie nae ncclerecdieh ied hese 8 5 10 3 
ETS ies aie ay date aes 3 12 2 
12 dcr domed aha Sinee SO. eeeuas I 10 2 
13 kei eee eeey eevee es I 4 2 
TAs ines cane y pe aeE NS fo) 5 2 
OVER TAG Sar ccnide dread I 9 4 
Here again the honors fall predominantly to the first member of 
the family, but whether the reasons are mainly biological or social 
remains in doubt.? 
1Confirmatory results are yielded by Cattell’s studies of the birth ranks of 
