THEORY OF STATISTICS. Grandparents and Grandchildren : Parents not-light-eyed. Proportion of light-eyed amongst the Ts of a lL | tie = oe =58'3 per cent. parents . . Proportion of light-eyed amongst the ais of nigh LL B08 503 mn grandparents ~~. : {ey LS In both cases the partial association is quite well-marked and positive ; the total association between grandparents and grand- children cannot, then, be due wholly to the total associations between grandparents and parents, parents and children, re- spectively. There is an ancestral heredity, as it is termed, as well as a parental heredity. We need not discuss the partial association between children and parents, as it is comparatively of little consequence. It may be noted, however, as regards the above results, that the most important feature may be brought out by stating three ratios only. If 4 and B are positively associated, (4.8)/(B)>(4)/N. If 4 and C are positively associated in the universe of Bs, (4BC)/(BC)>(4B)/(B). Hence (4)/N,(4B)/(B),and (4BC)/(BC) form an ascending series. Thus we have from the given data— ion of light- among Foi " 2 Ci > 2 = (yy = 116 peleent, Proportion of light- amongst the en of ht parents : ENABY(E) S321 ss Proportion of light-eyed amongst the children of light-eyed parents and | =(4B0)/(BC)=864 ,, grandparents : : If the great-grandparents, etc., etc., were also known, the series might be continued, giving (4BCD)/(BCD), (ABCDE)/(BCDE), and so forth. The series would probably ascend continuously though with smaller intervals, 4 and D being positively associated in the universe of BC’s, 4 and Z in the universe of BC D’s, etc. 6. The above examples will serve to illustrate the practical application of partial associations to concrete cases. = The general nature of the fallacies involved in interpreting associations between two attributes as if they were necessarily due to the most obvious form of direct causation is more clearly exhibited by the following theorem :— If A and B are independent within the universe of C’s and also within the universe of v's, they will nevertheless be associated within the universe at large, unless C vs independent of either A or B or both. 48