Attributive Statistics in the physical Anthropology

Abstract

(1) In the human body, it there is no intermediate form among patterns, we can classify them very easily. For instance, the difference among four blood types is so eminent that we are able to classify them definitely with ease.(2) In many cases, however, the difference of patterns is quantitative, and there is no definite boundary among them. Formerly, when I investigated the colour of the head hair and iris with Koreans and Manchurians I found it so hard to classify them.(3) For the purpose of expressing the shape, we use the quantitative and attributive characters. For example, we can express the head form in the horizontal plane by the length-breadth-indices, but there are some cases in which two different head forms have the same indices. So, SERGI classified the headforms into seven types, but we have trouble in judging the form by his classification. The author thinks the measurement of the distance from cardinal points and planes of cranial-contour according to BENINGTON's method is the fittest method to describe the head form.(4) We treat with the shape of profile, forehead, nose, mouth and chin by their attributes. When we classify them, I think that the indices to express the extremly abridged form is rathermore reliable than the classified patterns.(5) When we use the words, "large ", "medium ", "small" or "pronounced ", "medium ", " slight" in degrees we must base upon the authorized standard that is common to all human beings. The subjective classification applicable only in some particular groups will be of no use for such purpose.(6) we must examine the degree of difference between patterns that vary from one another in quantity. The measuring values and indices, if they are treated with the successive numbers, represent no other than the successive patterns. Namely, in anthropometry, we are counting 5 and higher fractions as units and disregarding the rest under the unit. We classify the stature expressed by successive numbers into "large ", "medium" and "small ". And also the length-breadth-indices are classified into " dolicho-", " meso" and " brachy-cephalic ".(7) We know that one physical character is accompanied by another and not by some others. And, we can assume that they are phenomena originated from the same cause. In each physical character, we can know the most important factor by examination of their correlation and association. So we must properly choose these important characters and factors in any case of comparison of individuals or groups.