A method for investigating the relation of points in multidimensional space is described. Using an analysis of variance technique, the points are divided into the two most-compact clusters, and the pTocess repeated sequentially so that a tree diagram is formed. It is pointed out that the method is well suited to electronic computing. The application of the method to problems of classification is stressed, and numerical examples are given of applications in the analysis of chromosome patterns in cells. (C.H.)