This text outlines how the proportions of children and adult heads are depicted in illustrations, noting the difficulty in defining the width compared to height and length due to body variations. It provides specific measurements, using parts of the head as units, for various body parts when viewed from the front, back, or side. The text also notes that women's proportions differ slightly, particularly in the shoulders.
The division of Children and the Heads of fully-grown Men is clearly enough shown in the illustrations; however, the width of the parts is not as easily defined as the height and length of the Figures due to the variation in fat and lean bodies. The Head is divided by its length or height into 4 equal parts, but these parts can serve to approximate the width.
The Figure viewed from the front or back has the width:
Of the Neck 1 head, or 2 parts.
Across the Shoulders 2 heads, or 8 parts.
Below the Armpits 1 head, or 6 parts.
Below the short Ribs 5 parts.
The Thigh, at its thickest, is 3 parts wide.
The Knee a little more than 1 part.
The Calf 2 parts, and
Above the ankle, where the leg is thinnest, 1 part.
The joint of the Arm is 1½ part and
Above the Hand 1 part.
The width of the Figure viewed from the side, the Arms and Legs and their joints are slightly wider than when it is seen from the front or back.
The Proportions of Women differ from those of Men in the front and back in that the Shoulders are slightly narrower.