Chapter LXXXVII: Munsee: Cuboid

LEGEND:
A = Length, maximum[109]
B = Breadth, maximum[110]
C = Thickness, maximum[111]

MALES
-------+----------------------------------------------------------
| Right
+---------+-----+-----+------+---------+--------+----------
|Number of| | | | Module |Breadth-|Thickness-
|specimens| (A) | (B) | (C) | (mean | length | length
| (pairs) | | | |diameter)| index | index
-------+---------+-----+-----+------+---------+--------+----------
| |_cm._|_cm._|_cm._ | _cm._ | |
Average| (9) |3.77 | 2.85| 2.5 | 3.04 | 75.7 | 66.5
Minimum| — |3.55 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.88 | 70 | 62
Maximum| — |4 | 3.15| 2.65 | 3.18 | 79.7 | 69.4
=======+=========+=====+=====+======+=========+========+==========
| Left
-------+---------+-----+-----+------+---------+--------+----------
Average| (9) |3.74 | 2.85| 2.53 | 3.04 | 76.2 | 67.7
Minimum| — |3.55 | 2.75| 2.3 | 2.86 | 71.8 | 62.8
Maximum| — |3.95 | 3 | 2.65 | 3.13 | 80 | 74.3
-------+---------+-----+-----+------+---------+--------+----------

FEMALES
-------+----------------------------------------------------------
| Right
-------+---------+-----+-----+------+---------+--------+----------
Average| (10) | 3.54| 2.66| 2.26| 2.82 | 75.1 | 64
Minimum| — | 3.25| 2.3 | 2.1 | 2.58 | 67.6 | 59.5
Maximum| — | 3.85| 2.95| 2.4 | 3.03 | 81.5 | 67.7
=======+=========+=====+=====+======+=========+========+==========
| Left
-------+---------+-----+-----+------+---------+--------+----------
Average| (10) | 3.55| 2.65| 2.26| 2.82 | 74.4 | 63.6
Minimum| — | 3.25| 2.35| 2.1 | 2.65 | 67.1 | 59.7
Maximum| — | 4.8 | 2.95| 2.5 | 3.03 | 81.5 | 71.4
-------+---------+-----+-----+------+----------+-------+----------

[109] Between the most prominent points on the superior and inferior borders of the distal or metatarsal facet of the bones and the point of the bone at the inferior medial angle (“calcanean process”).

[110] Maximum breadth, with the cuboid resting on its medial surface in such position as it naturally assumes. This and the measurement given in the next note are obtained readily by the _compas glissière_ with broad branches.

[111] Maximum thickness, with the cuboid resting on its anterior surface in such position as it naturally assumes.

As in the case of the scaphoid, the three measurements of the cuboid give rise to two indexes which express the relative proportion of the bone. Both of these indexes, as seen by the table, are higher in the males than in the females, especially on the left side, showing that the male bone is relatively broader as well as thicker.

The indexes also show slight differences on the two sides, but these are not parallel in the two sexes; in the males both are slightly higher on the right side, while in the females the condition is reversed owing to the fact that while in the males the length of the bone is slightly less on the left, in the females it is slightly greater on that side than on the right.

The Munsee cuboid contrasted with that of the United States whites is, as in all the other bones of the tarsus, slightly smaller in every dimension, and it differs also from the latter to a moderate degree in its relative proportions; but these differences, as seen in the following table, are somewhat irregular and can not be regarded as established before a larger series of specimens is examined.

LXXXVIII. THE CUBOID IN MUNSEE AND IN UNITED STATES WHITES

MALES
--------+---------+------+-------+------+------+--------+-----------
| Number | | | | |Breadth-|Thickness-
| of |Length|Breadth|Thick-|Module| length | length
|specimens| | | ness | | index | index
--------+---------+------+-------+------+------+--------+-----------
| |_cm._ | _cm._ |_cm._ |_cm._ | |
Munsee | (22) | 3.75 | 2.85 | 2.52 | 3.04 | 75.1 | 67.1
| | | | | | |
United | | | | | | |
States | | | | | | |
whites| (48) | 3.96 | 3.02 | 2.59 | 3.19 | 76.3 | 65.5
--------+---------+------+-------+------+------+--------+-----------
FEMALES
--------+---------+------+-------+------+------+--------+-----------
Munsee | (24) | 3.51 | 2.63 | 2.26 | 2.80 | 75 | 64.3
| | | | | | |
United | | | | | | |
States | | | | | | |
whites| (36) | 3.62 | 2.67 | 2.37 | 2.89 | 73.7 | 65.5
--------+---------+------+-------+------+------+--------+-----------

As to points for observation, some interest attaches to the cuneiform and talus facets. In the United States whites the facet for the external cuneiform is single in 70 per cent of the cases, divided by a well-marked ridge in 23 per cent, and double, though mostly connected, in 7 per cent of the specimens. In the Munsee, in 45 bones, a single facet is present in 42, or 93 per cent; and one with a ridge in three, or approximately 7 per cent, while two facets occur in no instance.

In the United States whites a facet for the talus was found by the writer in four specimens out of the 82 examined, or approximately 5 per cent. Among 44 cuboids of the Munsee it occurred in only one instance (2.3 per cent), and in this case it was small.

The anterior or metatarsal facet of the cuboid is on the average flatter in the whites than in the Munsee, especially from side to side and in the bones of the males.

_Internal Cuneiform_

The internal cuneiform is the largest of the cuneiforms and yields two measurements—the greatest height and smallest breadth—which with their indexes are suitable for comparison. There are 45 of these bones in the Munsee material.

The results of the measurements, given in the next table, show the bone in the males to be as usual somewhat larger than in the females. With respect to the sides, the left bone is as high as and very slightly broader than the right in the males (in paired bones); but in the females the left internal cuneiform is very slightly lower and more perceptibly narrower than the right.

The breadth-height index on both sides is higher in the females, which shows that in this sex the bone is not only absolutely but also relatively lower than in the males.