The Descent of Man

tibia. On an average, the length of the femur to
that of the tibia is as 211 to 252; whilst in two
Europeans, measured at the same time, the
femora to the tibiae were as 244 to 230; and in
three Negroes as 258 to 241. The humerus is
likewise shorter relatively to the forearm. This
shortening of that part of the limb which is
nearest to the body, appears to be, as suggested
to me by Mr. Forbes, a case of compensation in
relation with the greatly increased length of the
trunk. The Aymaras present some other singular
points of structure, for instance, the very
small projection of the heel.
These men are so thoroughly acclimatised to
their cold and lofty abode, that when formerly
carried down by the Spaniards to the low eastern
plains, and when now tempted down by
high wages to the gold-washings, they suffer a
frightful rate of mortality. Nevertheless Mr.
Forbes found a few pure families which had
survived during two generations: and he ob-