ill-conditioned, or immoral parentages are markedly detrimental to the children's eye-sight; (2) No sufficient or definite evidence that school environment has a deleterious effect on the eye-sight of children; (3) Ample evidence that refraction and keenness of vision are inherited characters. When it is considered that this study was undertaken in anticipation of finding that inheritance and environment factors would be far more comparable in magnitude, it is evident that the investigation was pursued without bias. A second study, of the influence of defective physique and unfavorable home environment on the intelligence of school children, showed that there was "no sign of an environmental condition producing an effect on the mentality of the child at all comparable with the known influences of heredity." 10 This investigation also appears to have been undertaken with an open mind. Finally, the controversial "Study of the Influence of Parental Alcoholism on the Physique and Ability of the Offspring,' appeared to show that there was no marked relation between intelligence, physique or disease of the offspring and parental alcoholism in any of the categories investigated. For example, the study showed that the average weight and height of the children of alcoholic parents was slightly in excess of that of children of sober parents; the general health of the children of alcoholic parents appeared to be slightly better than the health of children of sober parents. However completely subsequent investigations may correct or confirm the conclusions of the London eugenists, certain it is that in the present stage of our knowledge we can make no dogmatic statements 10 Eugenics Laboratory Memoirs, VIII, p. 60. 11 Eugenics Laboratory Memoirs, X. as to the absolute effect of environment, and until we have made more comprehensive investigations it is best to leave the matter open. A study of the direct influence of environment upon the bodily form of man was made in 1908 and 1909 by Professor Boas.12 Four groups of people were investigated; the south Italians, representing the Mediterranean type of Europe, characterized by short stature, elongated head, dark complexion and hair; the central European type, characterized by medium stature, short head, light hair and lighter complexion; the northwest European type, characterized by tall stature, elongated head, light complexion, and blond hair; and in addition, an extended series of east European Hebrews, who resemble in some respects the central European group. The traits selected for examination were head measurement, stature, weight, and hair-color. The result of the inquiry was to show that the American-born descendants of these types differ from their parents; and that these differences develop in early childhood and persist throughout life. It was found that head form, which has always been considered as one of the most stable and permanent characteristics of human races, undergoes far-reaching changes due to the transfer of the races of Europe to American soil. The east European Hebrew, who has a very round head, becomes more long-headed in the first generation born in America; the south Italian, who in Italy has an exceedingly long head, becomes more short-headed in the first generation born in America; so that both approach a uniform type in this country, 12 Changes in Bodily Form of the Descendants of Immigrants, The Immigration Commission, 61st. Cong., 2d Session, Doc. no. 208; see also The Mind of Primitive Man, ch. ii, for discussion. so far as roundness of head is concerned. If American environment can bring about a modification of head form in the first generation, the question presents itself, may it not be that other characteristics may be as easily modified? A comparison of the width of face of Bohemians with facial width of American-born individuals was made. When the Bohemians were arranged according to their ages at the time of immigration, the results showed that there was a loss among those who had come here as young children. When this comparison was continued with the Americans, born one, two, and more years after the arrival of their mothers, the width of face was seen to decrease still further. It appears that American environment caused a retardation of the growth of the width of face. Professor Boas concludes, "I think, therefore, that we are justified in the conclusion that the removal of the east European Hebrew to America is accompanied by a marked change in type, which does not affect the young child born abroad and growing up in American environment, but which makes itself felt among the children born in America, even a short time after the arrival of the parents in this country. The change of type seems to be very rapid, but the changes continue to increase so that the descendants of immigrants born a long time after the arrival of the parents in this country differ more from their parents than do those born a short time after the arrival of the parents in the United States." 13 If this process of change explains the difference between racial types in America it is possible that the same environmental influence has operated in the past to produce many of the racial types which appear stable to-day. In considering these conclu13 Changes in the Bodily Form of Descendants of Immigrants, p. 52, |