Figure 17-3. Linear Velocity Histograms for E. Vernalis in 
Polarized Light (the Data Displayed in Figure 17-2) 
and in Unpolarized Light. 
NOTE: Dashed lines denote the estimated mean of each distribution. 
We chose to store statistical parameters within data vectors, rather than 
merely computing and displaying them, in order to allow them to enter into 
subsequent calculations. For example, assume the user had computed statistical 
parameters for each data vector in a file of instantaneous linear velocities (e.g., 
the “STAT/VE” example given above); each estimate of the mean is thereby an 
average for each path. The user may then investigate the distribution of these 
path averages. The estimated means are first isolated using the STRIP operator: 
*STRI/MN BUGS.ST BUGS.MN. 
The resultant file “BUGS.MN” contains a single data vector; each element of 
this vector is a mean (“/MN”) stripped from one operand data vector. The user 
may wish to compute statistical parameters for the new set of data, or explore 
its frequency distribution via histograms (Figure 16-4). The user may also 
MERGE such files so that each data vector corresponds to a single 
experimental condition. The vectors may then be compared with one another 
(e.g., one-way analysis of variance, chi-square tests, etc.). 
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