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DESCRIPTIONS OP CRANIA.
distortion. The skull is of ftill size, its cavity being found capable of containing 83 ounces
of white sand; from which it is to be inferred that the brain had a weight of not less than
55i ozs. Av., being at least five oimoes more than the estimated average tceiffht of the adult male
brain in modern Europeans*.
The form of the cranium approaches more to the dolichocephaUc, than is common in ancient
British skulls. The frontal region is rather narrow at the temporal angles, but expands towards
the coronal suture, where it unites with the remarkably high parietal region, the breadth of
which, in the situation of the tubers, is likewise above the average. There is a considerable
recession of the parietals in the posterior third, immediately in front of the occipital bone. The
occipital region is marked by unusual breadth and prominence, the bony spines and protuberances
being also very strongly marked. The temporal foss® are somewhat smaU, the mastoid processes
of medium size; the external auditory foramina decidedly behind the centre of the skull.
The superclHary ridges are most unusually fuH and prominent, projecting in a manner which
can hai-dly be regai-ded as other than abnormal: the grooves for the supraorbital nerves and
vessels ai-e very large and deeply mai-ked. The nasal bones are remarkably prominent, and
project at a very abrupt angle. The opening of the nostrils, of medium size, measiu-es a full inch
across. The orbits are large and quadrangular: the malai- bones less prominent than usual.
The maxiUaiy bones are of full size; the alveolar processes large and somewhat prominent;
the bony palate deep and moderately rounded in front. The lower jaw is deep and thick,
measuring three quarters of an inch in the thickest part; the ascending portion is not so long al
in many ancient British skuUs, but is conspicuous for its breadth as well as its rectangular
position, the more remarkable considering the period of life. The chin has a weU-marked
triangular base, generaUy observed in ancient British sk-uUs of the male sex. All the teeth are
in place, with the exception of the denies sapiential of the lower jaw, both of which appear to
have been lost during life. The crowns of all the teeth, especiaUy the molars, are considerably
worn, but this effect of attrition is decidedly less than usual, in ancient British crania, even when
the age has been much less advanced. The erosion has the character, so often pointed out, of
being most marked on the inner edges of the upper and on the outer edges of the lower teeth.
The very large back part of this skuU, the narrow and receding forehead, the unusually
prominent brows, and large heavy jaws, give to it a savage and strongly animal character, such
as is not often observed, even ia the British series. These features are well shown in the
lithographed plate compared with the small base view of the craniimi.
* The most accurate obserrations on the weight of the brain ozs., and between the ages of 55 and 90, at 48 J ozs. nearly,
are those of Dr. Peacock, who estimates the average weight of Monthly Journal of Medical Science, Edmburgh, 1846.
the male encepbalon, between the ages of 25 and 55, at 50^
MEASUREMENTS.
I'M
n 's ;
" J i
Horizontal cu'cumference
Longitudinal diameter
Erontal Region.—Length
Breadth
Height
Parietal Region.—Length
Breadth
Height
11.
21-7 inches.
7-8 „
5-2 „
5-0 „
5-3 „
5-0 „
5-7 „
5-3 „
Occipital Region.-
Intermastoid arch
Internal capacity
Pace.—Length .
Breadth .
-Length
Breadth
Heiffht
5'0 inches-
5-4 „
4-3 „
10-1 „
83 ounces.
5-0 inches.
4-8 „
(J. T.)
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