A Remarkable Dejormed Skeleton. Ill 



and a -half inches. The general deformity is that resulting 

 from rickets of childhood, from which recovery had occurred 

 as seen in the hardness of the bones. The compressed 

 thorax, curved spine, diminutive pelvis and curved ex- 

 tremities are all sufficient evidence of this. The peculiar 

 deformity, however, consists in the symmetrically blending of 

 the lower ends of the two thigh-bones, which are supported 

 by one leg so as to form one knee-joint only ; this being, 

 however, placed directly in a line with the promontory of 

 the sacrum, or if the upright position were assumed imme- 

 diately beneath the centre of gravity of the trunk. It is evi- 

 dent, therefore, the one foot would, with the assistance of 

 crutches, be an efficient means of support and progression. 

 That this was so, I think, is shown by the forward curve of 

 the tibia and fibula, and by the large muscular impressions 

 on the bowed humeri. It will be seen that the supporting 

 leg and foot correspond to the right of normal skeletons, 

 and on examining the knee-joint from behind, the right 

 femur forms a somewhat larger part of the articulation than 

 the left. In front, however, the patella appears to articulate 

 equally with both. 



Short of sawing through and spoiling the preparation, I 

 have examined it as thoroughly as possible, and see no rea- 

 son to believe it other than a natural deformity, and not an 

 artificially prepared specimen. I can find, however, no 

 record of anything similar, and before leaving England 

 searched the museums for any such specimen, not only in 

 man, but amongst the lower animals. It is certainly remark- 

 able that no former account has been published of this case, 

 as the disposition of the muscular apparatus here would 

 have been very interesting. Perhaps time and opportunity 

 were wanting for the work, or some religious or social 

 scruples prevented it. Much interesting matter relating to 

 deformities in general will be found in Vrolik's " Tabulse ad 

 illustrandam embryogenesin hominis et mammalium tarn 

 natural em quam abdormen," which is in the University 

 Library. 



