Vertical diameter, .
Inter-mastoid arch, . *
Inter-mastoid line, .
Occipito-frontal arch,
Horizontal periphery,
Internal capacity,
Capacity of the anterior chamber,
Capacity of the posterior chamber,
Capacity of the coronal region,
Facial angle, . . . .
5.5 inches.
15. inches.
4.4 inches.
14.2 inches.
19.8 inches.
74. cubic inches.
32.5 cubic inches.
41.5 cubic inches.
9.5 cubic inches.
73 degrees.
On comparing five Iroquois heads, I find that they give an average internal
capacity of 88 cubic inches, which is within two inches of the Caucasian mean.
The largest of them gives no less than 98.5 cubic inches, and the smallest (the
Huron above described) seventy-four. The mean of the anterior chamber is 35.5
cubic inches, while that of the posterior chamber xs 52.5. The mean of the
coronal region gives 15 cubic inches.
T H E P A W N E E S .
The Pawnees consist of two nations, the Pawnees proper, and the Ricaras or
Aricaras, which last are also called Black Pawnees. The former inhabit the
country on the river Platte, and the Ricara villages are below the Mandans, on
the Missouri. These tribes speak a language different from any other on this
continent They do not differ much, in their physical character and belligerent
habits, from the surrounding nations, but they have until lately practised the
singular custom of sacrificing human victims to Venus, I The Great Star.” This
ceremony Was performed annually, and immediately preceded their harvest labors,
the sucqess of which it was designed to promote. The practice is said to be an
anomaly among the North American nations.*
* Exped. to Rocky Mountains, I, p. S 5 7 .-G a h .atin, Arcteolog. Amer. II, p. « 8 .