The San Francisco call., 1899-05-04
CRAN|UM' SHAPE
DECIDES DESTINY
Theory Being Exploited
by Scientists.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

STAMFORD UNIVERSITY, May g.
DR.. c. c. Closson of Harvard, a gradu-
ate in sociology, is at present at Stan
ford University engaged in measuring
the heads of students in the gymnasium
TO determine certain questions of
heredity. He takes the length and
breadth of the skull and asks questions
concerning the occupation, character,
health and movements of the students
ancestry. DR.. ClOsson is one of new
school of scientists who are studying
anthropology, with particular view to
the effect of the shape Of the human
head on race movements and develop
ments.
Interest in the matter originated
after the report of a commission or
ganized in the Grand Duchy of Baden,
under the direction of Lapouge, to OBJ
tain a scientific description of the popu-
lation. The scientists found there was
a difference between the shape of the
heads of the urban and rural popula-
ton. The large majority of the latter
were of a broad headed or Alpine type,
while the former were found to be long
or narrow leaded AS the latter type,
which is now called the North Euro
pean type, is the more energetic, ner-
vouS and migratory, the theory was
advanced that this difference in race
psychology might account for the
movements of men and nations.
The Baden commission examined 20,
900 persons. 1t found that the mass of
the upper class were of the lOng-headed
type and also that the most of the
persons who moved from the country
into the city possessed the same head
characteristics 1t was shown that the
narrow headed type had smaller fam
lilies and the tendency was for the type
to decrease. Further investigation re-
vealed that this type of man dwelt
chiefly in the north of Europe, and that
it has taken more than its share in the
migratory movements to the United
States. AS the examinations extended
over the south of Germany it was dis
covered that the broad-headed type
predominated both there and in
France.
The results seemed to go to prove
nascent selection in society, which has
a great sociological interest, and a
number of eminent scientists de-
termined to secure further data. DR..
Callignon investigated in France, and
others in Austria and Switzerland.
They even went so far as to seek in
formation in the catacombs, and it is
now alleged by them that the great
movements in Roman and French his
tory can be traced to these differences
in skull formation.
America being a new country, built
up principally by emigrations from
Europe, the men interested in the study
are attempting to verify the findings
Of the Baden commission by expert
ments in the United States. 1t is con-
tended that where the broad-headed
type have emigrated they will be
found principally in the East, While the
long-headed type pushed on, and are
primarily responsible for the settle
ment of the West. 1t was thought that
a representative test could be made
easiest by the examinations of college
students and the members of large so
cietieS or clubs. DR.. Sargent of Har-
ward has had examinations made in the
gymnasium there and DR.. Ripley at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
and at Columbia, while DR.. ClossOn
came West.
He first examined the German,
French and Swiss inhabitants of Los
Angeles, and 1t was discovered that the
large majority of them belonged to the
long headed type. Although the reports
of the American examinations have not
been published, it is said that every test
so far made has strengthened the the
cries. If this extensive study of stu
dents in the East and West is salts
factory the examinations will no longer
have to be made by individuals upon
their own responsibility, but the mat
ter will become of sufficient Importance
to be taken up by colleges and scientific