ANTHROPOMETRY (Greek elvepuroc, man, and perpov, measure), a term de noting both the system of identification based upon measurements of certain portions of the human frame and also - especially at the pres ent time-the science having for its object the systematic examination and study by means of classification, of the height, weight, strength and other physical characteristics of individu als representing the different races of man kind. With the former (the system of identi fication, and particularly the identification of criminals) the name of the distinguished French investigator, Alphonse Bertillon (see BERTILLON and BERTILLON SYSTEM) is indis solubly united. The tendency has become strongly marked in recentyears to adopt the system of identification by finger prints in lieu of such measurements of the head, of the fore arm, etc., as are more difficult to secure with the requisite degree of accuracy, in outlying districts and in fact wherever erroneous meas urements might be recorded as a result of in sufficient skill in the use of the Bertillon in struments (see FINGER PRINTS). Investigations purely scientific in character and covering a wide range of subjects are now classed as an thropometrical. For example, the studies of such modifications as changes of environment produce in the bodily form of human beings, or again the statistics of physical development during courses of training under competent in structors, may be appropriately classified in this manner. As for the comparative studies in this field, and the conclusions reached in the new science that may be called quite properly comparative anthropometry, their interest is merely suggested by the following list, which shows the average height of the adult males of the principal races or nationalities of the world: Polynesians, 69.33 inches; Patagonians, 69 inches.; Negroes of the Kongo, 69 inches;
Scotch 68.71 inches; Iroquois Indians, 68.28 inches; Irish, 67.90 inches; United States (whites), 67.67 inches; English, 67.68 inches; Norwegians, 67.66 inches; Zulus, 67.19 inches; Welsh, 66.66 inches; Danes, 66.65 inches; Dutch, 66.62 inches; American negroes, 66.62 inches; Hungarians, 66.58 inches; Germans, 66.54 inches; Swiss, 66.43 inches; Belgians, 66.38 inches; French, 66.23 inches; Berbers, 66.10 inches; Arabs, 66.08 inches; Russians, 66.04 inches; Italians, 66 inches; Spaniards, 65.66 inches; Eskimos, 65.10 inches; Papuans, 64.78 inches; Hindus, 64.76 inches; Chinese, 64.17 inches; Poles, 63.87 inches; Finns, 63.60 inches; Japanese, 63.11 inches; Peruvians, 63 inches; Malays, 62.34 inches; Lapps, 59.2 inches; Bos jesmans, 52.78 inches. The average stature of man is thus about 65.25 inches.
Bertillon, A., 'Sur le Fonc tionnement du Service des Signalments An thropometriques' (Lyons 1888) and 'Sinaletic Instructions' (trans. and edited, Chicago 1896) ; Boas, F., 'Changes in Bodily Form of Descend ants of Immigrants' (New York 1912) ; Leys, N. M., and Joyce, T. A., 'Series of Physical Measurements from East Africa' (Royal An thropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland Journal, London 1913) ; Ris ley, H. H., The People of India' (2, Anthropometry, India: Calcutta 1915) ; Seaver, J. W., and Phys ical Examination: A Book for Practi cal Use in Connection with Gymnastic Work and Physical Education' (New Haven 1909) ; Talbot, P. A., 'Notes on the Anthropometry of Some Central Sudan Tribes' (Royal Anthro pological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland Journal, London 1916) ; Woolley, H. B., 'Men tal and Physical Measurements of Working Children' (Princeton and Lancaster 1914).