Dr. Strutt gives the following Measurements of Natives of the River Murray at Echuca:—
| Name. | Weight. | Height. | Measures round the chest. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| stone | lbs. | ft. | in. | ft. | in. | |
| Daniel | 10 | 0 | 5 | 7½ | 2 | 10 |
| Johnny Johnny | 10 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Billy | 8 | 0 | 5 | 4½ | 2 | 8 |
| Jack | 9 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 8½ |
| Larry | 10 | 10 | 5 | 8½ | 3 | 0¾ |
| Billy Toole | 10 | 0 | 5 | 4½ | 3 | 0½ |
| Murray | 10 | 0 | 5 | 6½ | 2 | 11½ |
| King John | 11 | 12 | 5 | 9¾ | 3 | 1 |
| Flora | 9 | 0 | 4 | 10½ | 3 | 2 |
He adds that "No other woman could be persuaded to be weighed or measured;" and that "they are a well-proportioned race."[1]
It is impracticable to obtain complete measurements of the bodies of the natives of Victoria. They are now clothed—and having regard to the circumstances under which they are living, it has been deemed unadvisable, even in the interests of science, to prosecute investigations which might raise in their minds feelings of disgust. I have therefore no very valuable information to give in regard to this part of the subject. Some measurements have been made from photographs of wild blacks with the following results:—
| — | Man. | Man. | Man. | Woman. | Woman. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground of calf to leg (thickest part) | 8¾ | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Ground to centre of cap of knee | 14 | 13¾ | 13¾ | 14 | 14 |
| Ground to fork | 22½ | 22 | * | 22½ | 23 |
| Ground to umbilicus | 31 | 31 | 30½ | 30 | * |
| Ground to chin | 43 | 41 | * | 42¼ | 42½ |
| Ground to tips of fingers (the hand being placed against the thigh) | * | * | * | 17 | 18 |
| Length of arm from point of shoulder to elbow. | 11½ | 11 | 10¼ | 9½ | 9 |
| Length of arm from elbow to tips of fingers | 14½ | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 |
In the spaces marked * measurements were not possible.
The body in each case is supposed to be divided into fifty parts, measuring from the ground to the vertex, and the proportions are represented by the figures.
Though the utmost care was taken in ascertaining the proportions of the several parts of the frame, and though the photographs were excellent, and the positions well chosen, these measurements cannot be regarded as strictly accurate.
- ↑ Report of the Select Committee of the Legislative Council, 1858-9.
