606 THE AMERICAN NATURALIST. . [Vol. XXXIII. 
years of age. There were ascertained with each child the date of 
birth, state of nutrition and of musculature, height, weight, circum- 
ference of the head, circumference of the thorax at inspiration and 
at expiration, color of eyes and hair, condition of teeth, principal 
qualities of sight and hearing, morals, abilities, and existence of dis- 
eases past and present. The actual examinations were conducted 
principally by the teachers of the children, the whole work being 
authorized and supported by the municipality. 
Among the main results of the investigations the following are 
important : 
Births. —The maximum rate of conceptions occurs in May and a 
part of June.! In the months in which the greatest numbers of chil- 
dren are born there is also observed the greatest average weight of 
children. The vitality of the children born in these months does not 
suffer. 
State of Nutrition. — Only about one-half (49.8 per cent) of all the 
children examined were found to be “ well nourished,” which shows 
us best what conditions exist in the large European cities, Prague 
in no way being an exception. Seven and six-tenths per cent of the 
children examined were nourished “badly.” After the 11th year 
the percentage of well-nourished children increases noticeably. The 
districts in which the poor classes of people live show a great predomi- 
nance of only medium or badly nourished individuals, 
The condition of the musculature corresponds closely to the 
general state of nutrition of the children. 
fleight.— The difference between the maximum and minimum 
height of children of the same age was found to be very consid- 
erable. The difference reached the maximum of 45.75 cm. Under 
these circumstances a boy of 10 years of age was found to reach only 
the average height of boys of 6 years of age, while another boy of 10 
years attained the average height of a boy of 14. The average height 
of the boys compares thus with the height of Boston boys?: 
Years 6 7 8 9 10 II 12 13 14 
Prague boys 109.9 cm. 115.5 120.5 125.3 129.4 133-5 138-9 144.3 150.9 
Boston boys 111.1 “ 116.2 121.3 126.2 131.3 1354 140.0 145.3 152.1 
1In New York the greatest number of births occur, awe eves regu- 
larity, in August, which places the maximum number of conceptions in November. 
See my Rep. g Anthropol. Work in the rer yA Sor Fabie Minded, Syra- 
cuse (1898), p. 
2 Bowditch, = P. Ann. Rep. of the State Board of Health of Massachusetts 
(1877), P- 275- 
