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This is fully . described in the British Association Report
for 1881, but is shortly as following:—Each series is arranged
in order of magnitude, the middle number of the group
is then tabulated as the median average of the group. This
can be done somewhat more quickly than when averages
have to be estimated, and also avoids the introduction of
error from the inclusion of extreme cases in the group under
discussion. Thus in the Oval Road Boys. School (Table I.)
at the age n to 12 years 55 observations were made, and of
these the median height was 54!. inches, i.e., there were 27 boys
who were taller and 27 shorter than the 54I. inches. Each group
was also further analysed by ascertaining the lower and upper
quartiles, but it is not proposed to discuss these figures at the
present moment.
In all 1,474 boys and 975 girls were examined, but in the
following tables groups containing less than ten observations have
been omitted.
BOYS. HEIGHTS—It will be seen that at every age period
the Princess Road boys are shorter than those attending Oval Road,
while the latter conform fairly closely to the British Association
Committee.s figures for all classes. The height of the children
attending certain Secondary Schools is at each age period as much
in excess of that of the Oval Road boys as those exceed Princess
Road.
Table I.—BOYS.