THUMB-FINGERNESS 49 



Fecundity. 



The abnormals are the more fertile members of the 

 family in the ratio of 6 to 4, and the women are more 

 so than the men in the ratio of 8 to 4|^. 



Hence it follows that the abnormality does not 

 show any sign of dying out ; on the contrary, it 

 is increasing in numbers. 



In the 4th generation there are 4 cases. 



,, ,, otn ,, ,, ,, /,, 



„ ,, 6th „ „ „ 19 „ 



,, ,, /tn ,, ,, ,, J ,, 



This last figure (9) will probably be considerably 

 increased, for there are three parents of the sixth 

 generation still in the child-bearing age, and eight 

 who, not having yet reached it, may marry and have 

 children. 



SUMMAKY. 



The short-fingered people have short, symmetrical 

 hands, short toes — the middle bone being very im- 

 perfectly developed ; and they are short of stature. 

 They are robust, marry early, and are prolific, and 

 are increasing in numbers. 



Their occupation is not mentioned, as it is not 

 desirable to do anything which will lead to their 

 identification. 



Mendelian Inheritance. 



My investigation of these people was undertaken 

 without any bias as to theories of heredity, but a care- 

 fid consideration of all the data cannot fail to convince 



