MERISTIC VARIATION 



55 



the thumb, when the radius is absent), by the suppression of 

 a member within the series (ectrodactylism), or by the union of 

 two or more members (syndactylism). 



Syndactylism may occur in all degrees, from mere webbing 

 to a real bony union, as in the case of solid-hoofed hogs. Fig. 10 



A T> 



/[ -O 



FIG. 10. Degrees of syndactylism in digits: the general shape of the member is 

 preserved even when one digit is suppressed. After Bateson 



exhibits a case, Z>, in which the normal shape is preserved in 

 the absence of a member (ectrodactylism), with nothing to sug- 

 gest a union ; that is to say, digits in and iv seem to be fully 

 represented by a single digit, normal in character but replacing 

 two members of the usual series. 



