ME. ST. GEOEGE MIYAET ON THE SKELETON OF THE PEIMATES. 
397 
The distance between the superior posterior spinous process of the ilium and the tu- 
berosity of the ischium, as compared with the length of a line joining the inferior 
anterior spinous process with the symphysis pubis, is least in Man of all Primates. 
The same is the case with the proportion of the length of the os innominatum to that 
of the transverse diameter of the brim of the pelvis, and with the distance between the 
inferior posterior spinous process and the spine of the ischium, when compared with 
that between the inferior anterior spinous process and the pubic symphysis. 
The length of the os innominatum, as compared with that of the femur, is less in Man 
than in any other Primate except Indris and Tarsius. 
The crest of the ilium, measured along its curves, almost or quite equals, sometimes 
even exceeds, the extreme length of the os innominatum — a condition existing in Man 
alone of all the Order. Moreover, the crest has a degree of sigmoid curvature, and is gene- 
rally thickened above the acetabulum in a way existing in no other Primate ; and the supe- 
rior anterior spinous process is rather more distinct than in any other genus of the Order. 
The inferior anterior spinous process is developed to a greater extent than in any 
other of the Anthropoidea, but it is exceeded by that of some Lemuroidea. 
The posterior spinous processes are more sharp and distinct than in other Primates, 
and are nearer together, in comparison with the length of the os innominatum, than in 
any other except Loris. 
The outer surface of the ilium is at the same time convex anteriorly and concave 
posteriorly to a degree existing in no other Primate ; moreover, the gluteal lines are 
much marked, and the iliac fossa is very wide, very concave, and looks mainly inwards 
— conditions peculiar to Man. 
The spine of the pubis is more marked than in most forms, and the superior surface 
of the so-called horizontal ramus of the pubis is generally broadened, and the subpubic 
groove in most cases marked to a degree existing in no other Primate *. 
The pubic symphysis is shorter relatively than in any other of the Anthropoidea. 
The shortness of the body of the ischium, the smallness and non-eversion of the 
tuberosities of the ischium, and their prolongation backwards and upwards to very near 
the spine of the ischium, are characters almost peculiar to Man, but not quite so, because 
they exist in the Nycticebinse, especially in Loris. Man, however, is the only Primate 
in which these characters coexist with a broadly expanded ilium. 
The heart-shaped brim of the pelvis, so general in Man, exists in no other member of 
the Order. 
The spine of the ischium is generally developed in Man in a way absolutely peculiar 
to him f, as also is the great concavity of the sciatic notches. 
'*■ In skeleton No. 5184 in College of Surgeons, tlie ramus is very narrow and in 5357a. the subpubic 
groove is so faint as to be liardly distinguishable. 
t In the skeleton of a male and female of Bosckisman race in the College of Surgeon’s Museum, the spine is 
very small, as Mr. J ohx "Wood has remarked (Toe. cit. p. 149). Indeed, in the female it is scarcely larger, though 
more pointed, than in the Orang. 
3 h2 
