320 MERISTIC VARIATION. [part i. 



right digits. They articulate in a normal way with the trapezoid, 

 magnum and unciform, and are thus clearly II, III, IV aud V. 

 The metacarpals of the " pollex " and of the double digit corre- 

 sponding to d 2 and d 3 of Fig. 86 articulate with two separate 

 carpal bones of the distal row. The external of these bears a 

 rather thick metatarsus which peripherally gives articulation to 

 two digits. Of these the internal is well formed and bears a claw 

 which slides up on its internal side, and thus shews it to be formed 

 as a left digit. The other is misshapen in its proximal phalanx which 

 perhaps contains two phalangeal elements compounded together 

 and aborted ; hence the relation of this digit to the symmetry of 

 the limb is not apparent. The claw and last phalanx are well 

 formed. The innermost carpal bone is nearly normal and bears 

 an almost normal " pollex." [Condition IV of the manus.] 



Left manus. This foot has not been dissected, but from ex- 

 amination it appears that the digits II, III, IV and V are normal 

 like those of the right manus. As in it, there is a " pollex " with 

 two proper phalanges, but the metacarpal of the " pollex " is in its 

 proximal part united with the metacarpal of an imperfectly double 

 digit corresponding to d* and d 3 of Fig. 86. The division between 

 the two parts of this double digit is not so complete in the left 

 manus as it is in the right and from external examination it- 

 appears that the phalanges of the two are not separate. There are 

 two claws of which one is rudimentary and the pads of the two are 

 separated only by a groove. There is nothing to indicate whether 

 these digits are formed as right or left digits. [Approaches Con- 

 dition IV of the manus.] 

 *474. Cat having supernumerary digits. This specimen belonged to 

 the strain of polydactyle Cats observed by Mr Poulton (see No. 

 480) and I am indebted to Mr J. T. Cunningham for an oppor- 

 tunity of examining it. 



Left manus. Five digits, the normal number. The " pollex " 

 however is a long digit, composed of three phalanges, which reaches 

 very nearly to the end of the index. The claw of this digit is not 

 retracted to the outside of the second phalanx, like that of a 

 normal digit, but to the inside, and the chief elastic ligament is on 

 the inside of these joints instead of being on the outside as in 

 a normal digit. This pollex therefore may be said to be fashioned 

 as a right digit, bearing the same relation to the others as a right 

 limb bears to the left. The flexors and extensors of this digit were 

 fully developed. The carpal series was normal. [Condition II of 

 the manus.] 



Right manus. Six digits fully formed, one bearing an additional 

 nail on the third digit from the inside. Beginning from the outer 

 or ulnar side, there are four normal right digits, placed and formed 

 as V, IV, III and II respectively. Internal to these are two 

 digits, the outermost having three phalanges, being shaped as a 

 left digit and bearing a minute supernumerary nail in the skin 



