158 SoREN Hansen. 



The simplest expression for the relative length of the arms is 

 to be found in the length of the outstretched arms, i. e. the greatest 

 distance between the finger tips of the horizontally outstretched 

 arms; but it is by no means so easy to measure this distance a& 

 might be imagined; in fact quite different results are reached by 

 measuring in front than b}^ measuring at the back. 



Hence, instead of giving the calculated averages of measurements 

 to which I am unable to attach thorough accuracy, I shall confine 

 myself to the statement that the length of the outstretched arms in 

 the case of the East Greenlanders is about equal to their height, 

 frequently a trifle less, and in this respect as in many others they 

 fall midway between the Japanese and the American Indians. This 

 length might on the surface of it appear to approach the normal 

 standard for length of arms, but seeing that, as we shall see later, 

 these people have powerfully developed chests, and hence the 

 shoulders take up a comparatively large part of the arm-length, the 

 arm itself ought certainly to be designated as short. 



Otherwise the arms are strong and muscular, the biceps being 

 of considerable girth. The hands are small and fat, but well-shaped, 

 having only in exceptional cases long bony fingers. The nails are 

 white. 



In order to determine the length of the lower extremities, we 

 may take partly the distance from the perinæum to the ground, 

 partly the height of the body in a sitting posture, and both these 

 measurements accord well with the scanty measurements of Euro- 

 pean tribes which we find in the literature of the subject; according 

 to these measurements, the race as a whole must be designated a& 

 very short-legged. The muscles are, as has already been stated, 

 slightly developed, thighs and calves having quite a small girth. 



The feet are small and quite well-formed, but are often some- 

 what broad and flat, with a low instep, though the term 'flat foot' 

 cannot possibly be applied to them. 



The gait of the men is described as "easy, elastic, with feet 

 turned out; on the other hand their run is waddling with stiff' 

 arms and crooked knees, while their steps are extremely short and 

 quick. The women's gait is waddling, a little bent forward, bandy- 

 legged in a high degree, and the arms are held, with elbows turned 

 in, stiffly out from the sides". 



As regards the interpretation of these peculiarities, it may be 

 questioned whether they are to be regarded as professional or as a 

 general character of race. It is a well-known fact that the relative 

 development of the extremities is often intimately connected with 

 the calling and mode of life of the individual; seamen have long 



