1 8 2 E VOL UTION AND DISEASE. 



imperfect knowledge of the mode of origin of the pinna, 

 these conditions might admit of a somewhat different 

 interpretation. For example, the congenital hole in the 

 lobule could on superficial examination be interpreted 

 as the result of piercing the lobe of the ear for the 

 suspension of ornaments, but the details of the develop- 

 ment of the pinna offer a much more satisfactory 

 explanation of the phenomenon. A careful analysis of 

 the facts at our disposal strongly points to the conclusion 

 that defects due to mutilations are not inherited. 

 Recently Dr. Emil Schmidt, of Leipzig, has carefully 

 argued a case in which he thinks an acquired defect in 

 connection with the pinna was inherited ; the facts are 

 briefly these : In the left ear of a child he noticed a 

 peculiar congenital fault, consisting of a cleft in the 

 lobule (fig. 97). The mother also had a similar defect 

 in the lobule of the left ear ; in the case of the mother 

 the cleft was due to an injury. When eight years old, 

 whilst playing, the earring was torn through the lobe. 

 The edges of the wound did not completely unite, and 

 the lobe was subsequently pierced to restore symmetry. 

 Thirteen years afterwards she married, and gave birth 

 between 1860-73 to eight children. The second child a 

 boy exhibited the peculiar defect described above : the 

 remaining children possess pinnae with normal lobules. 

 A comparison of the ear of mother and son shows that 

 in the son's ear the cleft is situated more posteriorly and 

 higher than in that of the mother. 



Dr. Schmidt, who is well acquainted with the details of 

 the mode of formation of the pinna, discusses it at some 

 length in connection with this case with very great care, 



