XUMERICAL VARIATION IN THE HUMAN SPINE. 267 



oori-espoiifUug to tlie left one. The 'JOtli, in the directiou of the articular processes aud iu 

 the shape of the spinous process, is a lumbar. The spread of the lumbar transverse 

 processes increases to the 3d, below which it is pretty nearly the same. The 25th 

 vertebra lias the thi<-k transverse processes of a last lumlnir, aiul the 2-l;th the puny ones 

 of a penultimate, tbougli they are not typical. .The sacrum. e.\cei)t tliat tlie lateral masses 

 extend \'ery high, and that the canal is not closed in, is a normal one, with a well-marked 

 promontory. The last lumbar faces more downwai'd than is usnal, but there is no false 

 promontory. The od sacral presents a line across the middle of its aiiterioi- surface, mark- 

 ing a change of direction, aud bears a part of tlu' auricular surface on either side. There 

 are certainly three coccygeals, possibly more. In the matter of proportions, judging from 

 the dried spine in the want of fresh measurements, it is clear that the loins are too long. 

 If the 20th vertebra were reckoned a thoracic, they would probably be too short. 



There would seem to have been an ciTor in segmentation by which there has been pro- 

 duced one hnnbar verteltra more than usual. Except foi- one costal element being free, 

 the 1st is tolerably normal, and so aiv the 24th and 2"it]i, consideri'd as a last two. With (i 

 vertebrae in the region in place of •">. it is impossible to reproduce the gradations of spread of 

 the normal transverse processes. If this condition be due to the non-advance of the 

 sacrum, how is it that the 24th has the features of a penultimate? That the od sacral 

 vertebra is normal, is also noteworthy. 



3S1. Cat. '.lo7'.)-lG. 



Male, white. (J. 7, T. 12. L. (i, S. 4, (J. -3. 



In many respects this is like the last, but the sacrum is less regular. The 20th verte- 

 bra is a normal lumbar vertebra in all respects, except that on the right there is a rudi- 

 mentary costal element on the front of the trans\'erse process, which is small and project- 

 ing beyond it. It probably was originally free. It does not reach the bodv of the 

 vertebra. In its present condition, fused with the transverse pnjcess. the two do not 

 equal the normal transverse process im the left. The spread of the lumbar transverse 

 processes increases to the od. The fith is a typical last vertebra, and the otli a t\'pical 

 penidtimate. The latei-al masses of the sacrum rise so as nearly to touch the last hnnbar 

 transverse processes. Probalih only two vertebrae form the auricular surface. The 

 transverse line is in the od. The last coccygeal is fused with the sacrum, but ])robal)lv this 

 is a secondary change. There are only three pairs of sacral foramina. There are prob- 

 ably foui- other coccygeal elements, all fused together and now united with the 1st piece; 

 but this union, like that of the 1st piece to the sacrum, is probaijly recent. 



