More importantly, he cites three studies published since Burt's first reports that give correlation figures of 77 per cent, 77 per cent, and 73 per cent. He said it has been established that at least one of the assistants named by Burt is a real person, not a fabrication.

Herrnstein said that the work of the researchers who produced the three studies with conclusions similar to Burt's has not been called into question "probably because they are still alive to defend themselves."

He said another study by Burt, published after his death, found a 49 per cent correlation in parent-child I.Q. scores and that a review by Christopher S. Jencks '58, professor of Sociology, of five other parent-child studies found a 48 per cent correlation.

Doubts Remain Strong

But the doubts among skeptics remain strong. Gould believes Burt's data "are unusable." Even Herrnstein admits he would no longer use them in papers of his own, since "the appearance of trust-worthiness is as important as trust-worthiness itself" in academic documentation.

Layzer said that most adherents to the heredity view have "some political ax to grind," citing their support of tougher immigration laws and other "exclusionary legislation." He said that "these people believe the I.Q.-heredity correlation is high. Nothing will shake that belief. They believe those numbers.