CHEST-GIRTH.
The range of the eighteen measurements given in the subjoined [table] is 311⁄2 to 37 inches: and since half of these are included between 34 and 35 inches, we may consider these as the limits of the average chest-girth of the natives in the portions of the group in which the measurements were made, viz., the islands of Bougainville Straits and St. Christoval, with its adjoining islands.
| Girth in inches. | Number of Measurements. | Stature taken as 100. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | ... | 1 | |||||
| 31 | 1⁄2 | to | 32 | 1 | 52-53 | ... | 3 |
| 32 | to | 33 | 3 | 53-54 | ... | 7 | |
| 33 | to | 34 | 3 | 54-55 | ... | 3 | |
| 34 | to | 35 | 9 | 55-56 | ... | 2 | |
| 35 | to | 36 | 0 | 56-57 | ... | 1 | |
| 36 | to | 37 | 2 | 57·2 | ... | 1 | |
| Total, 18 | Total, 18 | ||||||
Taking the average height (5 feet 4 inches) as 100, the proportion, which a chest girth of 341⁄2 inches would bear, would be 53·9. This very closely corresponds with the values of the median of the accompanying series, which itself agrees with the value of the average of the indices. This index of chest-girth may be compared with results given by Topinard:
| Englishmen, | 54·0 |
| Negroes, | 52·3 |
| New Zealanders, | 51·4 |
| Solomon Islanders, | 53·9 |
WEIGHT OF BODY.[94]
[94] Mr. Evered, ships-steward assistant, obtained these weights for me.
Twelve natives of the Shortland Islands were taken promiscuously and weighed, the following being the results, stated in pounds:—100, 103, 116, 117, 120, 120, 123, 130, 148, 148, 150, 154. The mean of these numbers is 127; and the average weight would probably vary between 125 and 130 pounds, or between 57 and 59 kilogrammes. This probable average weight is quite in accordance with the size and build of a typical Solomon Island native; and agrees with the general rule that the weight in pounds ought to be about twice the height in inches; the average height being 64 inches, and the average weight 125 to 130 lbs.