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The Latest Critic of Biometry

Abstract

MR. J. J. LISTER in his presidential address to Section D at the British Association felt it his duty to go somewhat out of his way in order to urge on biometricians “that the old adage should be borne in mind recommending that before beginning culinary operations it is advisable first to catch your hare, in other words, to make sure that the problem you seek to elucidate is sound from the standpoint of biology before bringing a formidable mathematical apparatus into action for its investigation” (NATURE, August 16, p. 400). The importance of the occasion no doubt prevented Mr. Lister from illustrating his criticism he had much else to deal with, and he probably hoped that his words without detailed proof would have all the weight which attaches to presidential utterances. These are not made without careful thought and proper study. But in order that a criticism of this kind should be effective, biometricians need more information, and they recognised that Mr. Lister could hardly refuse to cite instances of the type of work which led to his advice.

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PEARSON, K. The Latest Critic of Biometry. Nature 74, 465–466 (1906). https://doi.org/10.1038/074465c0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/074465c0

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