Chapter XLIX: Comparison of the Proportions and Index of the Shaft of the

FEMUR AT THE SUBTROCHANTERIC FLATTENING, IN THE MUNSEE, WHITES, AND
NEGROES. PAIRED BONES

MALES
----------------+-------------------------+------------------------
| Right | Left
+---------+--------+------+---------+--------+-----
|Diameter |Diameter|Index |Diameter |Diameter|Index
|maximum |minimum | |maximum |minimum |
----------------+---------+--------+------+---------+--------+-----
Munsee: | _cm._ | _cm._ | | _cm._ | _cm._ |
Specimens | (15) | (15) | (15) | (15) | (15) | (15)
Average | 3.23 | 2.37 | 73.3 | 3.38 | 2.38 | 71.6
United States | | | | | |
whites: | | | | | |
Specimens | (66) | (66) | (66) | (66) | (66) | (66)
Average | 3.25 | 2.69 | 82.8 | 3.24 | 2.73 | 84.1
United States | | | | | |
negroes: | | | | | |
Specimens | (6) | (6) | (6) | (6) | (6) | (6)
Average | 3.07 | 2.68 | 87.3 | 3.17 | 2.73 | 86.3
----------------+---------+--------+------+---------+--------+-----
FEMALES
----------------+---------+--------+------+---------+--------+-----
Munsee: | | | | | |
Specimens | (12) | (12) | (12) | (12) | (12) | (12)
Average | 2.88 | 2.17 | 75.5 | 3.03 | 2.17 | 71.7
United States | | | | | |
whites: | | | | | |
Specimens | (28) | (28) | (28) | (28) | (28) | (28)
Average | 2.94 | 2.39 | 81.1 | 3.0 | 2.39 | 79.6
United States | | | | | |
negroes: | | | | | |
Specimens | (7) | (7) | (7) | (7) | (7) | (7)
Average | 3.02 | 2.42 | 80.1 | 2.97 | 2.44 | 82
----------------+---------+--------+------+---------+--------+-----

It will be observed, in the first place, that at the middle of the shaft the mean of the two diameters at the upper flattening in the Munsee is smaller in both sexes and on both sides than that in either the whites or the negroes, thus indicating that the bone is more slender.

The most striking points brought out by the data are, however, those relating to the degree of the flattening in the subtrochanteric region in the different racial groups. The Munsee femora are decidedly flatter than those of the whites, which in turn are slightly flatter than those of the negro. As a result the platymeric index in the Munsee is considerably below that in both the other races.

Taking the two diameters separately it will be observed that the diameter maximum or breadth is frequently larger in the left than in the right femur. This is true in both sexes among the Munsee and in the white females and negro males. In the white males the measurement is equal on the two sides, and in the negro females it is slightly larger on the right than on the left. In all probability the tendency of the left femur to be slightly broader than the right at the subtrochanteric flattening is quite universal.

The lateral diameter or thickness is also slightly larger in the left femur in nearly all the racial and sex groups, but the excess is less than with the breadth. It is thus evident that the left femur at this point is in general slightly stronger than the right. But, as already indicated, the mean excess in breadth is mostly greater than that in thickness, the result of which in most of the groups is a slightly lower platymeric index on the left side.

As to sexes, the platymeric index in the Munsee is slightly higher on both sides in the females than in the males. This is exceptional for Indians, the condition being usually the reverse. In the United States whites and United States negroes, and in Indian tribes other than the Munsee examined by the writer, the male femur as a rule gives a somewhat higher average index on both sides than the female, indicating that the flattening in the male is of lesser degree.

As to the sides, in the majority of the groups, and particularly in the Munsee, the right platymeric index is slightly higher than the left. In the Arkansas and Louisiana Indians it was very nearly equal on the two sides in both sexes. In the series of United States white males used here for comparison, and in the United States negro females, the right index is higher. Evidently, while the preponderant tendency is for the right platymeric index to be slightly higher than the left, there are not infrequent exceptions, but the differences are not of much importance.

To summarize, it may be stated that at the subtrochanteric flattening the Munsee femur shows a decidedly greater compression than the femora of the United States whites, and especially those of United States negroes; it shows a slightly greater relative flatness in the male than in the female, which is exceptional; and in the majority of cases it is relatively slightly flatter on the left than on the right side of the body.

These details may seem rather involved, and perhaps in some instances of no great consequence. But when at some time we shall be able to examine scores of records where we have now but few, and each series of records extending to hundreds instead of to only tens of specimens, the above points will assume a definite morphological importance, demonstrating on the one side the presence of astonishingly uniform and persistent laws relating even to secondary characteristics of bones, and, on the other, to clear, conspicuous, racial sexual and other group differences.

SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FEMORA

As to special descriptive characteristics of the Munsee femora, special attention was paid to the linea aspera, the shape of the shaft at middle, and the presence and development of the third trochanter.

_Linea aspera._—The linea aspera was found to be generally well developed, but seldom high and in no case excessively rough, indicating well but not exceptionally developed musculature.

_Shape of the shaft._—As to the shape of the shaft at middle, in a fourth of the males and in nearly half the females this was found to be more or less prismatic, and in 9 per cent of the males and 7.5 per cent of the females, plano-convex; the remainder of the bones showing, with one exception, intermediary or not well-defined shapes. None of the femora present the cylindrical (juvenile) type, or type 4 (anterior surface divided in two by a long vertical ridge), and in but one bone is the shape clearly elliptical. Among the whites the last named (elliptical) form is much more common, while the plano-convex type is less frequent than in the Indians.[58]

[58] Compare _Arkansas and Louisiana Femora_, op. cit., p. 217.

_Third trochanter._—Respecting the third trochanter, this presents itself as a more or less marked ridge, or an oblong tuberosity, or a round tuberosity; and in any of these forms it may be slight, medium, or pronounced. In some instances there will be found a depression, instead of an elevation, in the bone at or near this locality. These different forms have no separate morphological significance. They all serve for or are due to the attachment of the gluteus maximus muscle, and merge into each other by transitional stages. In the Munsee, conditions in regard to the third trochanter were as follows: