58 
THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
more child-like than in the Europeans. This lack of proportional expansion in the trans- 
verse diameter was more strongly shown in the men than in the women ; so that in the 
passage of the pelvis from the infantile to the adult stage of growth an opposite condition 
prevails to that presented by the skull, in which the man departs more widely from the 
infantile condition than does the woman. 
But, as has been previously stated (p. 53), a pelvis with a conjugate diameter rela- 
tively long when compared with the transverse has a more animal form than one in 
which the opposite condition exists. In a quadruped the downward pressure exercised by 
the weight of the trunk on the sacrum is necessarily not of the same intensity as in the 
biped ; though in the quadruped the upward pressure of the hind limbs, acting as pillars 
of support against the side walls of the pelvis in the region of the acetabula, must 
exercise an influence, in controlling the expansion of the pelvis in the transverse diameter, 
during its growth and when flexible and plastic. In the Anthropoid Apes also, in which 
the position of the body is intermediate between the quadruped and the erect attitude of 
man, the pressure of the weight of the trunk on the sacrum would, when the animal is 
standing, be diminished owing to the upper limbs being so frequently used as organs of 
support and progression. 
The question therefore arises, is there anything in the habits and mode of life of the 
black races in their aboriginal state, which, by operating during childhood, could modify 
the vertical pressure of the weight of the trunk, and thus diminish the effect of one of the 
chief forces concerned in increasing the transverse diameter of the pelvic brim. It may 
be difficult to answer this question, but I would suggest the following as a not improbable 
explanation. A favourite attitude of many savages is that of “ squatting,” i.e., with the 
ankles, knees and hip-joints acutely flexed, with the trunk bent forward, with the back 
of the thigh supported by the calf of the leg, or with the nates resting on the heels. 1 In 
this position the arms are conveniently supported on the knees in front of the thighs. 
The aboriginal Australian does not “squat,” buts sits directly on the ground, bending his 
trunk forwards and embracing his knees with his arms. The trunk so long as this 
position is maintained would have a portion of its weight supported by the upper limbs, 
and the pressure on the sacrum and pelvis would be diminished so as to approximate the 
conditions somewhat to those of the Anthropoid Apes. But further, the savage when in 
pursuit of game often assumes a stooping or crouching attitude, in which the trunk is bent 
forward and its weight is directed obliquely backwards and downwards on to the base of the 
sacrum. Hence, both when at rest and when in active movement, his spine is made to bend 
forward, and its axis is not retained so much in the vertical position as in the white man, 
who, whether sitting, standing, or walking, erects the axis of his spine upon the pelvis. 
1 In Scotland and the north of England this attitude is designated by the expression “to sit on his hunkers.” 
It i- a favourite attitude with miners, and is named by them “ hunkering down,” and they are able to remain in it for 
u considerable length of time without fatigue. 
