The measurements taken at the middle of the shaft in the Munsee femora
indicate generally a moderate development. The mean diameter is smaller
in both sexes than it is in ordinary American whites and negroes[56]
of the same stature. The same condition, though in a somewhat lesser
degree, was observable in the Arkansas and Louisiana Indian femora, and
there are reasons to believe that it is common to other Indian tribes,
if not general in the race. The whites and negroes used here for
comparison are of course those of the working classes, or such as find
their way into dissecting rooms.
[56] Males: Munsee, 2.74; United States whites, 2.9; United States
negroes, 2.91 cm. Females: Munsee, 2.54; United States whites, 2.69;
United States negroes, 2.6 cm.
As to the strength of the femur on the two sides of the body, the
difference in the Munsee, as well as in other Indians and racial
groups, is very small. However, in the males a slightly higher average
mean diameter is seen in the left femur, while in the females the
condition is reversed. Curiously the same slight excess in strength of
the left femur in the male and of the right in the female is exhibited
also by the United States whites, while in the United States negroes,
in both sexes, the bones of the two sides are exactly equal, as is
shown in the following table: