P R E F A C E .
WHEN occupied with the initiatory studies of the medical profession, my attention was
specially attracted to the human skull, which had ever smce been an objeet of deep interest.
Stm, how little could I have foreseen that a cursory expression, uttered to the late Mr.
Bateman, when visiting Ms Museum, on the 7th of August, 1849, as to the desirableness
of turning his remarkable collection of Ancient British Crania to some scientific account,
would have resulted in my own devotion of more than a dozen years of the best period of
mature life to this very purpose 1 Mr. Bateman's most unexpected reply, that he considered
me quaMed by my education to undertake an investigation which he was himseK unable
to conduct, and the offer that his collection should be entirely at my service, did not
immediately produce any deep impression, especially as I much doubted my fitness for such
recondite researches. Eriends, who were present and heard the conversation, for some time
urged the matter upon my attention before it engaged my serious thoughts. As in the
case of Sir Thomas Browne, " We were hinted by the occasion, not catched the opportunity to
write of old things, or intrude upon the Antiquary."
At length, after inquiry of those who seemed likely to take up the subject of ancient
British skulls, and finding they intended nothing of importance, I had the prospectus of a
" Crania Celtica" printed in May 1852. The distribution of a few copies of this sheet soon
brought a suggestion fi-om Dr. Daniel Wilson, that the title of the projected work ought to be
" Crania Britannica" and the plan to be extended; and likewise a request from Dr. Thurnam,
that he might be allowed to have his name associated with my own in its production—he
having previously, unknown to me, received a grant from the Koyal Society expressly to
promote such an inquiry. To this request an immediate assent was given, on the condition
that the original project should not be otherwise interfered with. Arrangements were then
made, principally with a view to include Chapter V., which grew and expanded materially
in the hands of its author as he proceeded. Eor this the readers of the " Crania Britannica,"
who are quite as weU able to appreciate its merits as myself, wiU feel greatly indebted to
Dr. Thurnam. For his valuable advice and assistance in every department of the undertaking,
as well as for his important contributions, I may now express my best thanks.
Eor the encouragement accorded by many scientific and learned men, both of this and of
foreign countries, I am also grateful, as, in the infancy of the project especially, such
encocu-agement was of the utmost service. Eor the favourable manner in which the work has
been received as the Decades have issued from the press, I must equally acknowledge my
obligations*. I should have been glad to have fm-ther thanked, individually, those who have
* Decade I. appeared in March 185C ; Decade II. in the work, I contributed a paper, entitled " Hints for Collecting
March 1857 ; Decade III. in September 1858 ; Decade IV. and Preserving the Bones of Ancient Skulls," to the ' Gentlein
March 1800; Decade V. in July 1862; and Decade VI. man's Magazine'for October, 1853, and afterwards distriin
January 1865. buted it extensively in a separate form, but with extremely
With the hope of obtaining examples of ancient crania for small success to myself. The design of this paper was eu