8 Proceedings of the Boyal Physical Society. 



the lower limb, resulting from the assumption of the erect 

 attitude, and the habit of walking without the assistance of 

 the upper limbs. 



For example, in the human foot, in which the function 

 of prehension is entirely subordinated to those of support 

 and locomotion, there has been a transference of the longi- 

 tudinal axis from the middle toe to the second toe, which 

 has now become the chief longitudinal axis of the foot. 

 The great toe is no longer adapted for grasping, but has 

 assumed the position of utmost importance in the act of 

 locomotion. Coincident with this transference of stability 

 to the inner border of the foot, there has been a steady 

 structural retrogression on the part of the little toe. One 

 very rarely finds this digit provided with its complete 

 structural equipment, and it is almost invariably deficient 

 in some tendon (while it may even be found minus one 

 of its joints). I do not think that this decadence ought 

 to be merely associated with long generations of impeded 

 and restricted movements due to foot-wear, for, although we 

 have not the necessary information as regards the feet of 

 primitive races, yet, in all classic statuary — the models for 

 which were certainly not addicted to the wearing of boots — 

 the little toe is constantly portrayed with the same un- 

 important and rudimentary features which it presents in the 

 modern foot. There is really an underlying truth in the 

 irony which represents the little toe as — 



" Of every function shorn, 

 Save to act as basis for a corn." 



But while the little toe has been dwindling, the great toe 

 has been increasing in its importance under exactly similar 

 conditions of apparent restriction, until it is very common, 

 if not usual, to find it the longest as well as the strongest 

 of the toes. That this was not always the case may be seen 

 by again examining classic statuary, in which the second toe 

 is invariably depicted as the longest toe. Modern sculptors 

 and painters constantly accept and imitate the proportions 

 of their ancient predecessors, who, without doubt, were not 

 idealising, but copying the feet of their models, in whom 



