BULLETIN 



OF THE 



ESSEX IT^STITTJTE. 



Vol. 27. Salem: July — December, 1895. Nos. 7-12. 



THE LUMBAR CURVE IN SOME AMERICAN 

 RACES. 



BY GEORGE A. DORSET. 



ASSISTANT CURATOR, IN CHARGE OF PHYSICAL ANTHRO- 

 POLOGY, FIELD COLUINIBIAN MUSEUM. 



INTKODUCTION. 



The human vertebral column in profile presents two 

 sets of curves : the primary, or dorsal and sacral curves ; 

 and the secondary, or cervical and lumbar curves. The 

 secondary curves are preeminently human characteristics 

 and are not acquired by the individual until after birth. 

 Furthermore, the secondary curves are essential to the 

 upright gait, and of the two, the lumbar is the more im- 

 portant. Investigation has shown that the curvature of 

 the lumbar region varies according to age, sex and race. 

 It has also been shown that the lumbar curve is not an 



ESSEX INST. BULLETIN VOL. XXVII 8 (53) 



