forward as far as it can go, the needle projects no more than one-tenth of an inch.  If I then press it upon a piece of paper, held against the ball of my thumb, the paper is indelibly perforated with a fine hole, and the thumb is not wounded.  The perforations will not be found to run into one another unless they are very numerous, and if they happen to do so now and then, it is of little consequence in a statistical inquiry.  The holes are easily counted at leisure, by holding the paper against the light, and any scrap of paper will serve the purpose.  It will be found that the majority of inquiries take the form of “more,” “equal to,” or “less,” so I arrange the paper in a way to present three distinct compartments to the pricker, and to permit of its being held in the correct position and used by the sense of touch alone.  I do so by tearing the paper into the form of a cross—­that is, maimed in one of its arms—­and hold it by the maimed part between the thumb and finger, the head of the cross pointing upward.  The head of the cross receives the pricks referring to “more”; the solitary arm that is not maimed, those meaning “the same”; the long foot of the cross those meaning “less.”  It is well to write the subject of the measurement on the paper before beginning to use it, then more than one set of records can be kept in the pocket at the same time, and be severally added to as occasion serves, without fear of mistaking one for the other.

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CHARACTER.

The fundamental and intrinsic differences of character that exist in individuals are well illustrated by those that distinguish the two sexes, and which begin to assert themselves even in the nursery, where all the children are treated alike.  One notable peculiarity in the character of the woman is that she is capricious and coy, and has less straightforwardness than the man.  It is the same in the female of every sex about the time of pairing, and there can be little doubt as to the origin of the peculiarity.  If any race of animals existed in whom the sexual passions of the female were as quickly and as directly stirred as those of the male, each would mate with the first who approached her, and one essential condition of sexual selection would be absent.  There would be no more call for competition among the males for the favour of each female; no more fighting for love, in which the strongest male conquers; no more rival display of personal charms, in which the best-looking or best-mannered prevails.  The drama of courtship, with its prolonged strivings and doubtful success, would be cut quite short, and the race would degenerate through the absence of that sexual selection for which the protracted preliminaries of love-making give opportunity.  The willy-nilly disposition of the female in matters of love is as apparent in the butterfly as in the man, and must have been continuously favoured from