The principal points for visual observation to which attention has been
given in this instance were (_a_) the shape of the scapula as a whole,
with the development of the _teres major_ region; (_b_) the form of the
superior border of the bone; and (_c_) the development of the notch in
the superior border.
_Type of body._—The scapula as a whole may be more or less neatly
triangular or wedge-shaped, which form will be designated as type 1.
Again, it may be more acutely wedge-shaped, with both its axillary and
vertebral border markedly concave, a type which the author classes
as 3.[74] It may be quadrilateral, type 4, with the axillary border
augmented by a shorter but well-marked inferior border, due to a
development of a process or angle by the influence of the _teres major_
muscle. It may be pentagonal, when the preceding type is augmented by
a distinct angle in the axillary border at or above the spine, which
divides it into two well-marked borders—type 5. Finally, we may have a
shape resembling that in many lower mammals and characterized by marked
convexity of the axillary border, which will be referred to as type 6.
[73] For literature, see R. Martin, _Lehrbuch der Anthropologie_, 1914;
also A. C. Schück, Das Schulterblatt des Menschen und der Anthropoiden,
_Mitteil. Anthr. Ges. Wien_, XL, 1910.
The few published reports on Indian scapulæ give scapular and
infraspinous indexes as follows: Matiegka (Santa Rosa, Cal., Indians),
64.9; 90.8; Dorsey (Northwest Coast), 65.1; 83.2 (?); Martin
(Fuegians), 65.4; 90.8; Martin (Peruvians), 66.6; 89; Matthews (Ancient
Pueblos of Arizona), 71.1.
In the anthropoid apes the scapular index averages between 69 and 76
(Livon); but the infraspinous index is enormous, ranging from slightly
over 100 in the orang to 156 in the chimpanzee.
[74] This form and various approaches to it have been referred to as
“scaphoid” by Graves (_Jour. Amer. Med. Asso._, 1910, p. 12), and
wrongly attributed to faulty development of the body.
Among the 19 Munsee scapulæ, a large majority show types 4 and 5, the
few remaining specimens approaching type 1. There is no instance of the
relatively rare type 3, nor of type 6, which is quite common in other
Indians, particularly the males. The following table gives several
series of records for comparison, including that of United States
whites. Analysis of the data shows some marked sexual as well as racial
differences, the full value of which can not, however, be determined
in the absence of more ample records. It is very plain, however, that
type 1, or a close approach to it, and types 3 and 5 are, on the whole,
more common in the females than in the males; while type 6 is decidedly
more frequent in the males. Type 3 is relatively frequent in the
whites, type 5 relatively scarce. In all probability the Indians differ
considerably among themselves with respect to the shape of the scapulæ,
as shown by the Munsee and Peruvian males, though the two series of
specimens are very unequal in numbers. Minor differences in records of
this nature can not be given any weight, for naturally the matter of
classification of the different shapes is less perfect than that of
accurate measurements.