Dwight.] 
356 
[Nov 6, 
do work of botli kinds, but never in the same perfection as those 
who become very expert in a single kind of work. These latter 
usually present peculiarities in their skeletons depending on their 
work. The lumbar region of the “ backward ” performer becomes 
excessively hollowed, while the spinous processes of the same re- 
gion may become enlarged in the “ forward ” man owing to the 
strain of the supra-spinous ligament which is made tense by flexing 
the spine. Those of moderate proficiency and who practise both 
kinds of contortion may show neither of these peculiarities. It is 
necessary that the thorax of the u backward ” man should be flex- 
ible and able to yield. “ Backward ” contortion is essentially in 
the spine. Probably the power of relaxing antagonistic muscles 
comes into play, but this is more strikingly shown in the forward 
acts. These involve other joints, for mere forward bending of the 
spine gives little variety. One of the feats is to put one or both 
thighs and legs straight upward, either standing on the other in the 
case of one, or resting on the hands in the case of both. Now 
every one can flex the hip and straighten the knee, but the trouble 
is to do both at once, and it seems as if the hamstring muscles 
must either be longer, more elastic, or that the individual must have 
the power of relaxing them. The position known as the “stride” in 
which one leg is thrown straight forward and the other back is es- 
sentially the same as the one just mentioned, and we need assume 
no peculiarity of the joints to account for them unless in rather ex- 
treme cases. The “ split,” however, in which the legs are thrown 
nearly straight out sidewise with the toes upward is probably a 
physical impossibility in spite of early training and the power of 
relaxing muscles, to those who do not have a peculiarity of the 
joints. Dr. Dwight believed that there was in these cases a par- 
tial dislocation. It must be remembered that parts of the liga- 
mentous apparatus of a joint may be lax and others not, and 
that the latter with the assistance of muscles may be sufficient for 
the needs of the joint for support and locomotion as it is not in ev- 
ery position that the strong bands of all joints are tense. At the 
shoulder joint the head of the humerus is retained by muscular ac- 
tion. A joint, the ligaments of which are, at least in part, over- 
lax is not an absurdity. It is evident that this power of partial 
dislocation will make postures which are possible without it still 
more remarkable. It is therefore of great assistance to a contor- 
tionist though not necessary for most positions. A photograph of 
the hand of a forward performer was shown to prove that he could 
