II. Dkinkwatkk 219 



of the middle bone, the second phahuix, which however always remains 

 in the adult separate from the terminal bone. 



This second family of Minor-Brachydactyly can be traced through 

 five generations, and there are eight abnormal individuals alive at the 

 present time. These are ninubered in the chart, 4 to 11 inclusive. 

 I am able to present radiographs of each case, and photograjths of the 

 right hand of four of them. 



Radiographs of the hand. 



(1) Adults. These show the shortened middle phalanx in every 

 case. It remains a separate bone. (PI. XIV, fig. 1.) 



(2) Children. The epiphysis is seen to be absent as a rule. 

 (PL XV, fig. 1.) 



Radiographs of feet. 



(1) Adults. Ankylosis has occurred between the second and 

 terminal phalanges in every case. The feet are therefore more de- 

 generate than the hands. (PI. XIV, fig. 2.) 



(2) Children. The epiphysis is absent fl-om the base of the second 

 phalanx in every toe (except the big toe). (PL XV, fig. 2.) 



Photographs of hands. 



A comparison with the normal hand will show the peculiarities. 

 (PL XVI, figs. 1 and 2.) 



Mendelism. 



The abnormality behaves as a Mendelian dominant ; only being 

 reproduced by an affected individual. The children of normals are all 

 free from the abnormality and have fingers and toes of the ordinary 

 type. The expected ratio is approached as nearly as possible, for of 

 19 descendants of abnormals 9 are abnormals. 



It is necessary to explain one part of the pedigree chart. 



No. 1, a normal woman, and the female ancestor of all the abnormals, 

 was married to a normal man. All their descendants, as well as her 

 brothers and sisters, are seen to have been normal. In the village in 

 which this couple lived was a short-fingered man (No. 2) who was 

 occasionally employed by them to perform a certain surgical operation 

 on their young pigs. Eventually the woman gave birth to a daughter 

 (No. 3) who was Brachydactylous. 



