Re[2]: How small is small?

["King, Norm" <nking.ucs@smtp.usi.edu>]

Scott Horton (01/22/96; 3:17p) suggested:

>I suggest you divide the genera of each family into percentiles by 
length
>or mass. The bottom third is "small", the middle third is "medium" and 
the
>top third is "large". Add "huge" and use quartiles if you prefer.
>Note again that the categories are not comparable between families (or
>whatever level you want to divide into size ranges). Thus a "small"
>sauropod might be larger than a "large" stegosaur.

As I said, I'm using the size terms across taxonomic categories for my 
dinosaur ID key.  I agree that a small sauropod is larger than a large 
stegosaur.  However, people will be using this key to distinguish, in the 
first place, between sauropods and stegosaurs.  They don't already know 
what sauropods and stegosaurs are!  There's certainly enough brain power 
in this group to come up with some really complicated ways to use simple 
terms.  And if I discuss quartiles, not only do I need to explain the 
difference between the dinosaurs, but I would also have to explain what a 
quartile is (sounds a small quart to me!).  I'll settle for success in 
teaching about the dinosaurs.  Again, I say KISS! KISS! (no disrespect 
intended), and thanks again for comments, suggestions, insults, etc.

John McLaughlin, have another drink!


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Norman R. King                                       tel:  (812) 464-1794
Department of Geosciences                            fax:  (812) 464-1960
University of Southern Indiana
8600 University Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47712                      e-mail:  nking.ucs@smtp.usi.edu