Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 8.djvu/811

 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY 791

from which one can conclude that the conditions of life in Aus- tralia are favorable to an equal physical development of the two sexes. A very interesting anthopometric study on the influence of gymnastic training of the American women upon weight and stature proves from all evidence that in both relations the limits of variation are much extended, and that in certain conditions woman is equal to, if she does not excel, those of the average European man. 1 The law seems to be that in proportion as the human species is differentiated from the inferior types by the disappearance of the superior anthropoids and the inferior varie- ties proper, the type of stature has tended to become fixed and uniform within narrower limits. Moreover, as is shown by Darwin, the widely distributed species are more variable than those comprised within narrow limits. This is the case with the human species, only civilization tends to restrain these limits, while multiplying the number of variations.

3. Muscular force. Animals are distinguished from vegeta- bles chiefly by the development of organs of movement and sensibility. In the human species these functions are developed to a very high degree. Although, from the point of view of muscles, man is inferior to a large number of animals, yet it is necessary to take into consideration that muscular force does not depend solely upon the volume of the muscles, but also upon their quality. The human species, thanks to the progress of knowledge, is able to extend artificially its motor power in a degree to which the limits are not determinable. Here, in the same way as for psychical and finally social activity, is the char- acteristic sign of humanity. One will observe, moreover, that muscular force and sensibility are the fundamental functions of the relations in life. The variations of muscular force are not solely determined by the environment and by race, but also by education to which the muscles are susceptible.

From the first researches begun by Peron with the dynamo- meter of Regnier, followed up with the same instrument by Quoy and Gaymard, as well as by the expedition of Novarra, we give

'C. J. ENBUSKE, in Bulletin international de statistique, Vol. VIII, Part II (1895), pp. 292.