588 
A CRUCIAL EXAMINATION. 
beyond ordinary probability that his remains would have 
been brought from Central Africa to the heart of London. 
That a body was on its way from this all but mythical 
region could hardly be doubted after the examination at 
Zanzibar of the remains, but many were sceptical as to this 
dead frame being that of Livingstone. Happily it was 
borne in mind by many old friends that he had one condi- 
tion of body which would mark the identification of his 
remains even if years and years had elapsed. If it should 
be proved on anatomical examination the remains of an 
old ununited fracture in his left humerus (arm bone) could 
be recognized, all doubt on the subject would be settled at 
once and forever. It has fallen to my lot to have the honor 
of being selected to make the crucial examination to this 
end, and I have accordingly performed that duty. Prom 
what I have seen I am much impressed with the ingenious 
manner in which those who have contrived to secure that 
the body should be carried through the long distance from 
where Livingstone died until it could reach a place where 
transit was comparatively easy accomplished their task. 
The lower limbs were so severed from the trunk that the 
length of the bulk of package was reduced to a little over 
four feet. The soft tissues seem to have been removed to 
a great extent from the bones, and these latter were so 
disposed that by doubling and otherwise the shortening 
was accomplished. The abdominal viscera were absent, 
and so were those of the chest, including, of course, heart 
and lungs. There had been made a large opening in front 
of the abdomen, and through that the native operators had 
ingeniously contrived to remove the contents of the chest 
as well as of the abdomen. The skin over chest, sternum, 
and ribs had been untouched. Before these points were 
clearly ascertained some coarse tapes had to be loosened, 
which set free some rough linen material — a striped colored 
bit of cotton cloth, such as might have been an attractive 
material for the natives among whom Livingstone travelled 
— a coarse cotton shirt, which doubtless belonged to the 
