Referee's report by James Whitbread Lee Glaisher, on a paper 'Mathematical contributions to the theory of evolution. XI. On the influence of natural selection on the variability and correlation of organs' by Karl Pearson

Description

Sectional Committee: [Mathematics]

Recommended for publication in Philosophical Transactions, but mainly on the grounds that it is one of a series and it contains general mathematical formulae which presumably ought to be placed on record for reference in connection with this system of papers. All the mathematics is sound and gives with 'great generosity' the formulae which the author requires for his kind of biometrical investigations. It would be better if the mathematics could be published quite separately elsewhere, and only the results in a simplified form quoted in such a paper as the present. Does not think the author would agree to this or if he did, would make changes that would materially alter the style of the paper. Thus, he does not make this an explicit recommendation.

Apart from the mathematics Glaisher does not think this paper suitable for Philosophical Transactions. It seems rather a part of a book or memoir and the series of papers might well cease with this one. The mathematics could have been dealt with more simply and the questions treated do not actually require so much mathematics. In any future writing it will be enough to state any results the author derives from his formulae.

[Published in Philosophical Transactions A, 1903].

Reference number

RR/15/230

Earliest possible date

28 May 1902

Physical description

Letter on paper

Page extent

4 pages

Format

Manuscript