The morning times., 1897-01-17

man, at feet, the Laps; at feet 5, the
average height of the human species; at
feet g, the averge Englishman; at feet
10 1-2 inches, the Patagonian Prof. Will
son says it is an extremely difficult thing
to give the correct average height of the
various peoples Certain scientists divide
the human race into different classes and
endeayor to arrange the races Of men in
groups. According to one scale, the taller
people are as follows: Queen Charlotte
Island, 1872 metres Comanches and Fimas
(Bancroft), 1.SO; the Scotch OF High Gal
loway, 1.79; the Polynesians, 1.76; Mar
tiesans, It's; Scandinavians, LII; Firms,
III; Zulus, Eskimos, Chippewa omahas.
Ito. The French at 1.65 are the average
height cf the human race.
Prof Wilson relates an experience he had
in Louisville with giant that shows the
common tendency toward exaggeration.
Along in the sos a Nova Scotia giant was
exhibited there He was brought upon the
stage before an audience, of which Prof.
Wilson was Il member, by the manager, who
gave an eloquent description OF him, diiat-
ing upon his great size and strength, and
intimating that his stature was not less
than feet S inches. But the giant was
not received with very high favor, for the
crowd adhered to their local fayorite, Jim
Porter, known as the Kentucky giant.
Porter, who had evidently been advised
of the opposition, was present. He was
called upon and stood up by the side OF
the Nova Scotia giant Cheers went up
from the audience when it was seen that
he was the taller of the two, and the stage
was soon filled with people clamoring for
a measurement.
Prof. Wilson had small ivory pocket
rule with him. He brought out this rule
and was mounted upon the table, and he
pronounced Porter to be three inches and
a half taller than the Nova Scotian. Por-
ter was very proud, anil in proportion as
he manifested his satisfaction so was the
contrary sentiment shown on the face OF
the Nova Scotian, who finally skunk away
out OF n back door. The Nova Scotian
was feet inches tall, but Jim Porter
was 7 feet IL. Jim's rifle, which he
was proud OF showing, was as long as an
average man is tall. His walking stick
came to the armpit OF an ordinary man.
ant his chair Was as high as a table.
Another case of interest was Investigated
by Prof. Wilson more recently and proved
like IL any others, to be a fake. This was
giant IN ummy which was being exhibited
for gain. 1t was laid upon its back in a
tox intended to represent coffin, though i;
had a greater resemblance to the large Wa
| tering troughs cohimon at roadsdes in
| the country The coffin was about ten
| feet long, two and one-half feet wide and
| two feet deep, and was covered with glass
PIof, Wilson laid his rule outside the glass
| and found the body to be eight feet four
| inches in length. 1t had every appearance
| Of being genuine and the skeleton had the
| appearance ofa wcll-forned man withmem-
| bers in rot unusual proportions. The mum
| my was at the bottom Of the coffin, under
| glass, and no one was allowed to touch
| feel or weigh it. Although there was no
| opportunity TO test the bones, skin, hair
| nails or other parts by the microscope oil
| other method, the belief was general tha;
| it was genuine. Later it was found that
| the thing was fake, and had been manu-
| featured with many others for exhibition
! for money.