126 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. [Sess. 
Observation No. C2 (1). 
Abridged Description of the Skeleton of a Eunuch (negro from 
the Sudan). 
Age at death 22 years. 
A. — Report upon the progress of ossification. 
1. Upper Limb. — The epiphysial cartilages of the scapula persist, as do 
those of the head of the humerus, of the lower end of the ulna, of the 
radius, and of the metacarpals. 
2. Lower Limb. — None of the epiphysial cartilages show any sign of 
ossifying except those of the two first metatarsals, which have almost 
disappeared. 
3. Pelvis. — The triradiate cartilage is still visible. 
4. Vertebral Column. — Ossification is almost complete throughout ; the 
junction of the epiphyses is obviously very recent. The pieces of the 
sacrum are still distinctly separate. 
In normal individuals the triradiate cartilage disappears at about the 
age of 16 ; the upper epiphysis of the ulna and the lower of the 
humerus join the diaphysis during the 17th year. All the other epiphysial 
plates of the long bones normally disappear before the age of 22, except 
those situated at the upper ends of the humerus, tibia, and fibula, and 
at the lower ends of the radius and ulna. It therefore appears that in this 
eunuch there was delay in the completion of the process of endochondral 
ossification in the bones of the appendicular skeleton. 
In the vertebral column, on the other hand, it is not usual to find fusion 
of the epiphysis until about the 25th year ; yet in this eunuch, at the age 
of 22, the process of ossification of the vertebra was almost complete. It 
is therefore clear that there was no delay in the ossification of the bones 
of the axial skeleton. 
B. — Report upon the relative lengths of the long bones. 
The lengths of the longer bones and their various comparisons are 
given in Table XXXVII. The methods of calculation and comparison are 
exactly similar to those formerly adopted. 
Total stature of skeleton . . . 1800 mm. 
Allow for soft parts . . . . 30 „ 
Estimated stature of individual in life . 1830 mm. 
