Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 8.djvu/809

 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY 789

the difference in stature of these two regions by their ethnic origin. It is, however, certain that other causes exercise an influence. The study of recruiting in Sweden and the Nether- lands shows that in these two countries the stature has risen con- siderably under the influence of prosperity. In Savoy the study of recruiting by occupations (1852-54) has shown that manual laborers, especially those least remunerated, are inferior in stature to those of the liberal professions.

The Italian Bureau of Statistics published, in 1878 and 1882, two reports of the basis of the methods of averages of Quetelet. According to this method, the simple arithmetical average is insufficient. It is necessary to make a series of observations in order to see how many in each 1,000 men belong to each group of statures. If the population studied is homogeneous, the most numerous groups will approach nearest to the average, which represents the normal type of the population. In north- eastern France, where he recognizes two distinct types, in the same way as we have seen that there are two types for the whole of France, the purely ethnic explanation seems equally incom- plete, and Bertillon adds: "It is not impossible that the coexistence of these two types may be due to the coexistence of two unequally fortunate populations, the one being relatively rich and healthy, the other poor and unhealthy." Perhaps, indeed, these causes are historically mixed and have combined in the production of the observed result.

In Italy the Venetians and Tuscans showed the greatest pro- portion of high statures ; the Calabrians, the Sardinians, and the Basilicatians, the smallest proportion. Race and physical environment certainly are influential, as is shown in Italy by the differences of stature in the regions where the economic and social conditions are identical. But the social conditions are none the less important. According to my theory, the ethnical and Mesological factors are also social. The Italian enquete which was taken in regard to the stature in the different occupations is decisive. 1

In a memoir of the highest interest, published in the Bulletin

'See Bulletin de Flnstitut international de statistique, Vol. VII, Part II, pp. 273 ff.