chap, xili.] DIGITS : PECORA. 377 



The following two cases are perhaps of the same nature as the foregoing. 



560. Goat having three digits in each manus, described by Geoffroy St Hilaiee, 



Hist, des Anom. i. p. 689. The description states that a supernumerary toe was 

 placed between the two normal toes. The middle toe was one-third of the size of a 

 normal toe, but the lower part of the foot was larger than usual. This case was 

 probably like No. 557 ; for from the shapes of the lateral hoofs that case also might 

 seem to an observer at first sight to be an example of a toe "intercalated " between 

 two normal toes. But in No. 560 the middle digit was reduced. 



-561 . Calf having a small supernumerary toe ' placed between the digits of the 

 right manus.' This toe had a hoof and seemed externally to be perfect, but on 

 dissection it was found to contain no ossification, but was entirely composed of 

 fibrous tissue and fat. Ercolani, Mem. Ac. Bologna, S. 4, in. p. 772. [Probably 

 case like last, the middle digit being still less developed.] 



This case is probably distinct from the others given. 



562. Calf: right fore foot having three complete metacarpals, each bearing a 

 digit of three phalanges. The two outer were disposed as in the normal, but the 

 innermost metacarpal was quite free from the others and its digit stood off from 

 the others [not grouping into their symmetry as in preceding cases] and having 

 an ungual phalanx [of ? pyramidal shape]. Delplanque, Etudes Teratol., Douai, 

 1869, n. p. 83, PI. II. Jigs. 2 and 3. [It is difficult to determine the relation of this 

 case to the others and I am not sure that I have rightly understood the form of 

 the inner digit ; but since this digit seems to be outside the Minor Symmetry 

 of the limb it is almost impossible to suppose that it can really be the digit II 

 reappearing. I incline to think that it is more likely that this digit belongs to a 

 separate Minor Symmetry. Compare the similar phenomena in Pigs, No. 570.] 



On the foregoing cases some comment may be made. It may 

 be noted that the two first (Nos. 557 and 558) present two stages 

 or conditions of one variation. In No. 557 all three digits reach 

 the ground and the change of Symmetry is completed ; in No. 558 

 the internal digit is not so large in proportion and the plane of 

 Symmetry is not deflected so far. 



As to the morphology of the three digits in these cases three 

 views are open on the accepted hypotheses. First, the internal 

 digit (if it be admitted to be the supernumerary) may be simply 

 a developed II. The existence of the normal accessory hoofs 

 practically negatives this suggestion, for there can be little doubt 

 that one of them represents II (v. infra, No. 579). The condition 

 of the cuneiforms in No. 558 suggests further that an element is 

 introduced into the cuneiform series between the almost normally 

 formed ento-cuneiform and the ecto-cuneiform. But if this new 

 element is the middle cuneiform, then the internal digit (Fig. 115, 

 ac) may still be II. But the innermost ergot is II in the normal. 

 Or is the inner ergot in this case I, and is this once more a case of the 

 development of a normally terminal member, II, and of the addition 

 of I beyond it in correlation, as we saw in the Horse (see p. 364) ? 

 That such a correlation may exist is unquestionable, and it is not 

 clear that these cases are not examples of it. But even if this 

 principle be adopted here as a means of bringing these cases into 

 harmony with received conceptions it will presently be seen that 

 it still will not reconcile some other cases, notably those of the 

 presence of supernumerary digits in a Minor Symmetry apart from 

 that of the normal series. Yet if the conception of the digits as 



