384 
Hereditary Split-Foot or Lobster-Claw 
(DD)'s instead of (DR)'s, this result would have occurred. While if III. 5, IV. 3, 
IV. 13, IV. 17 had been (DR)'s their 20 offspring would have given 13 affected 
and 13 unaffected as they actually do. It appears fairly clear that III. 3, IV. 15 
and IV. 21 were in some manner far more prepotently affected with the taint than 
the other four. But even if we examine the other four, IV. 3 and IV. 13 seem 
to be affected in quite different degrees ; thus not only on the average, but 
individually, the seven families are very improbable on the Mendelian hypothesis ; 
they suggest a graded intensity of taint in the germ-plasm of the different affected 
members of the stock. But the moment such relative prepotency of the individual 
is admitted, Mendelian segregation in definite ratios falls to the ground. A still 
more difficult point is the definition of what a Mendelian "unit" character is in 
such a case as the present. McMullan's fuller desertions completely confirm the 
very great variation in the deformity, which as Pearson pointed out in 1908 could 
affect any number from 10 to 60 bones. But it is not only the bones that are 
affected. The usual type is a claw-like foot or hand, the digit or digits remaining 
being bent round at an angle to the remainder of the hand or foot. This is very 
manifest in the bulk of the skiagrams and photographs of the present and the 
earlier paper. But the case of V. 8, born since the earlier paper, and several 
photographs in this paper show that a single straight digit is a possibility. 
Awn J. II. 3 (P. P. I. 2). Mrs Francis S. Married to Francis S. at N., April 15, 1837. 
There is nothing to add to the description of the deformity given in this case by Pearson. 
James S. III. 3 (P. P. II. G). Born March 4, 1838. Both hands and feet deformed. 
Pearson's and McMullan's informants agree as to feet both presenting 1st and 5th toes only. 
But Pearson's informant (IV. 3) says there were two fingers on right hand, one finger and 
thumb on left ; while McMullan's informant says there was only the fourth finger on both 
hands. The difference between the right and left hands stated positively by the eldest daughter 
must, we think, stand. 
William S. III. 2 (P. P. II. 2). Born February 10, 1840. Normal. Year of death not 
found. Three normal children IV. 1 a— c (P. P. III. 1—3). 
Jane R. IIT. 4, a native of C, was quite unrelated to her husband, III. 3. 
Elizabeth S., afterwards Mrs Wh. III. 5 (P. P. II. 3), dead. Born April 23, 1842. Both 
McMullan's and Pearson's informants agree that she had normal hands ; the former reports both 
feet as having only their 5th toes, the latter as having the 1st and 5th toes. 
Wh. III. 6 (P. P. II. 4). Husband of III. 5; he was unrelated to his wife, but is now 
reported to have had a deformed foot, quite different from those of his wife, and probably to 
judge by the description a club-foot. 
George S. III. 12 (P. P. II. 10) (dead). Date and locus of birth ? no information beyond that 
already given by Pearson that both hands and feet were deformed. 
John S. III. 14 (P. P. II. 3), seen by Pearson's field worker and again by McMullan *. 
Born, 1866. Scavenger, unmarried ; both hands and feet affected. 
Feet. Examination refused, but said he had the 5th toe only present on each. 
* Bones present and those absent in this as in other cases made out by palpation. Such a method 
leaves something to be desired, but many of the affected persons feel their affliction keenly and are not 
willing to have it further investigated even if X-ray apparatus were available, which it is not in country 
districts. 
