366 



The most anterior connection between the aortic and post-caval 

 vessels was a complete fusion of the left iliolumbar vein and artery 

 (li, li'). Just posterior to the origin of the external iliac arteries {ei') 

 the aorta gave off a large vessel (a) which passed to the left, and 

 fused with the left internal iliac vein (ii). This vessel (a) seemed not 

 to correspond to any of the normal branches of the aorta. The third 

 distinct connection was between the left external iliac vein {ei) and 

 the caudal artery {t), some distance posterior to the origin of the 

 internal iliac arteries (W). This connecting vessel (h) seemed also to 

 have no homologue in. the normal circulation. 



As seen in the figure there seems to be a distinct fusion between 

 the right external iliac artery (ei') and the external vein of that side. 

 While it seemed almost certain that there was a fusion of these two 

 vessels, the point could not be determined with absolute certainty. 



West Virginia University, October 1, 1909. 



Nachdruck verboten. 



A Criticism of Pfitzner's Theory of the Carpus and Tarsus. 



By Thomas Dwight. 



At the close of a paper on a separate subcapitatum ^), published 

 some six years ago, I expressed my acceptance of tlie late Professor 

 Pfitzner's views concerning the carpus and tarsus as the most con- 

 venient working hypothesis, remarking, however, that I was not quite 

 sure that the same element does not sometimes appear in more than 

 one place at the same time. Since then much observation has con- 

 vinced me that this certainly is the case. I still think that Pfitz- 

 ner's theory as a working hypothesis is a very useful one; but it is 

 clear that, to say the least, it is not adequate to account for all that 

 we see. The charm of this theory is its great simplicity, and its 

 easy application. At first it seems quite diagrammatic. In the cases 

 of the more frequent variations, and even in those where the ap- 

 plication is less easy, we flatter ourselves that with more knowledge 

 certain difficulties will disappear. But with greater experience we find, 

 on the contrary, that they grow more and more serious. Although I 

 do not remember that Pfitzner ever made the statement in precise 

 terms, it is clear that he looked upon each of the elements of the 



1) Anat. Anz., Bd. 24, p. 253. 



