of Edinburgh, Session 1880-81. 
295 
On the Classification of Statistics and its Results. By 
Patrick Geddes, F.R.S.E., Lecturer on Zoology in the 
School of Medicine, Edinburgh, and Demonstrator of 
Botany in the University. 
(Sections 1-16 read on 21st March ; 17-26 on 4th April ; 
27-31 on 2d May 1881.) 
§ 1 . Every one may readily notice that the collection of statistical 
information goes on around ns to a vast and constantly increasing 
extent ; not simply in the periodic census, but in the daily labours 
of the Registrar-General’s Department, of the Board of Trade, and 
the like. Such functions are carried on in every civilised country 
by many special statistical bureaux ; a statistical society exists in 
almost every great intellectual centre, and an International Statis- 
tical Congress, which has proposed to itself the vast object of 
accumulating, co-ordinating, and comparing the whole body of 
national statistics, has met periodically since 1853. 
Though no one will probably question the desirability and useful- 
ness of such a task, it may he well to point out that in the words of 
a veteran statistician * — “ By this means light will he thrown on 
every branch of statistical science. All social phenomena of every 
kind may be investigated by comparisons of the different causes 
from which they arise, under different conditions, and in countries 
presenting wide spheres of observation and opposing influences at 
work. Knowledge will thus he increased, laws of social life 
eliminated, true scientific inquiries promoted, the work of govern- 
ment simplified, and the progress and prosperity of nations fixed 
upon sure bases of observation and reason, instead of dangerous 
experiments or doubtful theories.” 
Again, regarding the importance of uniformity (i.e., of orderly 
classification) in all statistical publications, the same authority f has 
insisted that “ What was wanted, above all things, was uniformity. 
* S. Brown, F.S.S., ‘ ‘ Report on the Eighth International Statistical Com 
gress, St Petersburg, 1872”; Journ. Statist. Soc. Lonch, vol. xxxv. , Dec. 
1872, p. 457. 
t Quoted by Mouat, “Prelim. Report of Ninth International Statistical 
Congress, held at Buda-Pesth, 1876” ; Journ. Statist. Soc. Lond., vol. xxxix,, 
Dec. 1876, p. 645. 
2 p 
VOL. XI. 
