240 REPORT ON AN ADDITIONAL COLLECTION OF SKELETAL 
occur also on the superior and inferior surfaces of the bodies of the vertebra. They 
generally involve both of the articular surfaces in apposition, and in the vertebral 
column lead ultimately to anchyloses. They are frequently accompanied by mar- 
ginal exostoses along the border of the affected articulations. The two processes, 
in fact, are closely related and probably are due to the same general causes. 
“Fractures. —The fractures observed in this collection are comparatively few, 
fewer than would be found in a similar number of bones of modern whites. Itis 
further noteworthy that all but one of the fractures are in the bones of the forearm, 
the exception being one inaclavicle. There is no fracture of the bones of the lower 
extremities. The healing, barring the case in which union did not take place 
(Fig. 7, a), is of good character in all the specimens, though attended with more or 
less marked effects of original displacement of the fragments (see Fig. 6). 
“ Exostoses other than Marginal."—The majority of exostoses pertaining to 
this class are formed at the insertion of muscles, or on ridges, such as the popliteal, 
or within the intermuscular septa. Some of them doubtless stand in causal rela- 
tion with the marginal exostoses and arthritic changes. Others, particularly those 
in the intermuscular septa, are manifestations зи? generzs, the cause of which, par- 
ticularly in young subjects, is not clearly understood. Іп the series of bones under 
consideration, the exostoses other than marginal are few, and, with one exception, 
unimportant. The exception applies to the bony septum found to connect, without 
sign of injury or disease, the left tibia and Ше fibula of male skeleton No. 255.138 а 
from Arkansas (Fig. 5). 
* Abnormal Curvatures.’—Curvatures slightly to moderately above the aver- 
age, but without reaching a degree which can be considered pathological, are common 
in the femora of this collection, and also in some of the bones of the forearm. In 
the femora such curvatures are generally noticeable at or about the middle of the 
shaft, the upper part of the bone being bent backward, and are usually compensated 
for by an especially high posterior femoral ridge (linea aspera). Specimens of the 
so-called “pilasteric femur” generally indicate cases of this nature. In two in- 
stances only do curvatures occur which can be regarded as pathological. They are 
both in the tibia, and may be due to a mild degree of rachitis, although there are 
no signs of this disease on the remaining parts of the skeletons. 
“ Vartous.”—The only subject requiring particular mention under this head- 
ing is the frequently observed asymmetry of the bodies of the dorsal vertebra. 
This unevenness relates only to the contour of the bodies, not to their vertical 
dimensions. In no case is the particular cause discernible. 
