Article: The analogue video reshaper—a new tool for palaeontologists

A television-based system has been devised to overcome two classes of problem, crushing and distortion, and subjectivity in choice of features to be compared. The system is an automation of D'Arcy Thompson's method of transformation. Removal of the effects of shear is demonstrated from Angelina. Other illustrations comprise intraspecific variation in Chlamys varia (Linnaeus) and Gonlorhynchia boueti (Davidson), variation in Micraster, ontogenetic variation in the reptile Stenopterygius quadricissus (E. Fraas), and phylogenetic variation in a group of closely related hominids. The system has proved more sensitive and quicker than existing practices and although no attempt is made to solve any specific problem, suggestions for discussion are raised.