72 GEACE P. HAYS 



Right hind foot. Digits 2 and 5 and the rudimentary bone 

 representing digit 1 are normal (fig. 10). The diaphyses of the 

 3rd and 4th metatarsals have partially fused at the distal end; 

 their epiphyses are completely fused, and there is a single rep- 

 resentative of each of the phalanges. The diaphysis of digit 

 3-4 is short, but not so pronouncedly as in the left pes. This 

 shortness is compensated for in the length of the phalanges, so 

 that the middle digit is not shorter than the lateral ones. 



The wrist bones present few irregularities. In the left carpus 

 the magnum and unciform have fused; otherwise the bones are 

 normal. In the right carpus the magnum is small and does 

 not articulate with the fourth metacarpal. The ankle bones 

 are normal. 



The tendency to obliteration in the central digits and to con- 

 vergence to a point distally is such as one would expect to find 

 resulting from a pressure directed proximad and effective along 

 the distal margin and to some extent along the lateral margins. 

 This tendency shows itself in two ways. In the fore paws the 

 3rd and 4th digits are shorter instead of longer than the others 

 and the epiphyses are less frequently distinct from their diaphyses 

 In the hind paws there is a conspicuous shortening of the parti- 

 ally fused 3rd and 4th metatarsals, and the phalanges of these 

 have completely merged their identity. As a result of this 

 convergence and tendency to a dropping out or shortening of the 

 central elements, the hands do not spread out in a distal direction 

 as is normal, but have the shape, in general, of an inverted 

 V. This is not so conspicuous in the feet, but in both cases there 

 may be said to be a greater tendency to fusion distally than 

 proximally. 



There is in the fore feet also, a tendency to a synarthrosis, 

 rather than a diarthrosis at the finger joints, that is, some of 

 the joints which are normally articulate are non-articulate in 

 this cat. Apparently at these joints the joint cavities failed to 

 form, possibly because of some pressure at the distal margin, 

 and the intervening tissue developed into a cartilaginous mass. 



The non-articulate structure of the feet was partially re- 

 sponsible for the awkward gait of the kitten which at once 



