132 CHARLES MIDLO AND HAROLD CUMMINS 



values. The following areas are responsible for relative 

 elevation of pattern intensity in the human sole : H d and inter- 

 digitals I, II and III. The higher intensity in H d of the sole 

 is not exceptional, but the interdigital areas represent dis- 

 tinctive exceptions to the general trend in primates. In the 

 instance of H p , where the excess of hand over foot in pattern 

 intensity is greater than in any other configurational area, 

 mention must be made again of the relationship of the calcar 

 region. If this region be regarded as a component of the 

 plantar H p , as suggested earlier in a consideration of its 

 comparative morphology, its pattern intensity should be 

 added to that of the plantar H p for a just comparison with 

 H p of the palm. Even with this addition (not shown in fig. 598, 

 which is concerned only with H p as previously defined) the 

 plantar pattern intensity remains lower than that of the 

 palmar H p . 



INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF GROUPS OF CONFIGURATIONAL FIELDS 



Having analyzed the intensities of individual configurational 

 fields it is appropriate to combine certain of these fields in 

 groups for determinations of collective regional variability. 

 Two modes of grouping suggest themselves. The first mode 

 involves two sets of configurational fields separated by the 

 longitudinal axis (the thenar and hypothenar groups, as char- 

 acterized next below). The second grouping divides three sets 

 of configurational fields transversely (the distal, intermediate 

 and proximal groups which are later considered). 



Whether in palm or sole, the thenar and first and second 

 interdigital areas comprise a series which is named the thenar 

 group, situated on the radial or tibial side of the axis. On 

 the opposite side of the palm or sole, ulnarward or fibular- 

 ward from the axis, there is the hypothenar group, comprising 

 the proximal and distal elements of the hypothenar configura- 

 tion and the fourth interdigital area. Justification for the 

 groupings chosen is afforded not only by the relationships 

 to the anatomical axis but also by manifestations in some 

 mammals that the pads are thus actually interrelated as 



