C.M. Pomerat letter to C.B. Davenport, about a study of the relationship between "crural index" (leg length) and athletic ability

1763. Clark University Worcester, Massachusetts Department of Biology Dear Dr. Davenport, Having had the good fortune of hearing your talk on the crural index and its significance I have become interested in investigating its relationship to achievement in various types of sports. I am anxious to know whether you intend carrying out this work yourself. I find that my schedule both at Clark and at Harvard will permit me enough time to make the necessary measurements on a large number of individuals. In the event that this project meets with your approval I would greatly appreciate your advice on technique. Possibly you may remember me as the individual who consulted you several weeks ago on the subject of homogamy. A preliminary report of my most recent work on this subject will soon appear in Science. In a more detailed account which will follow I hope to include the results obtained from certain attacks which you suggested. In a recent study by Schiller (J. Soci. Psych. III 3, 297) I find confirmation of your views on mate selection, namely that there is a positive correlation for physical characteristics but that "in temperamental and emotional traits a chance mating is indicated by the absence of correlation in the tests used." With all personal regards please believe me Respectfully yours [signed] C.M. Pomerat [end]