128 
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. [Sess. 
Table XXXVIII. 
Name of Bone. 
Length, 
mm. 
Corresponding 
Stature Range 
in normal 
Individuals. 
Range of 
normal Bone 
Lengths for 
Stature 1870. 
Minimum and Maxi- 
mum Percentages of 
Excess of Length of 
Bones of Eunuch. 
Humerus 
365 
1799-1916 
379-356 
-3-8- 
+ 2-4 
Ulna . 
322 
2015-2144 
298-280 
+ 7-4 - 
13 
Radius . 
300 
2010-2133 
279-263 
7 - 
12*3 
Femur . 
556 
1962-2179 
529-477 
4*8- 
14-2 
Tibia . 
470 
2030-2256 
432-389 
8 - 
17-2 
From this table it is obvious that, relatively to the axial skeleton, all 
the bones of the limbs are unduly long ; those of the proximal segments, 
however, to a markedly less extent than those of the distal. 
Summary of Observations. Group G 1-3. 
The Skeletons of Eunuchs. 
From these three observations it is permissible to say that in eunuchs 
there is delay in the completion of the process of endochondral ossification. 
(In this connection an observation recorded by Gruber (39) in 1847 is of 
interest. He dissected the body of a eunuch whose age at death was 
65 years, and he found the hyoid bone cartilaginous.) 
Further, the long bones of the appendicular skeleton are unduly long. 
This excess of length is particularly remarkable in the more distal 
segments of the limbs. The bones are thin, smooth, and slender. As 
yet, however, there is no incontrovertible evidence to show whether the 
disproportion arises from excessive development of the limb bones or 
from deficient development of the axial bones, and unfortunately the 
fact that it is unknown to what tribe these negro eunuchs belonged 
prevents the determination of this point by the application of anthro- 
pological data. 
From isolated cases, it is possible to turn to an anthropological survey, 
for there exists in Russia and Roumania a sect of religious fanatics, the 
Skoptzys (26, 27) or “ White Doves,” who believe that only those who have 
known no sexual desire are worthy to mount the “White Horse of the 
Apocalypse.” 
To secure this privilege for their sons, parents have them castrated 
when they are from 3 to 5 years old. 
