DESCRIPTIONS OF CRANIA.
I
receptamthim cerebri into two lialves of very nearly equal length, but of greatly unequal capacity.
The mass of brain in the hind-haK would much exceed that in the fore-half, probably not far
from doubKng it. This short, but capacious hind head gives the skull a brachycephalic form,
which is typical. Regarding the cranium from behind there is an obvious irregularity in the
sides of the occiput, the right bulging out more than the left. This appearance, which is common
to this and the Juniper Green and Lesmurdie crania (Plates 15 and 16) * and others, may
not improperly lead us to question whether a slight distorting process may not have influenced
the cranial conformation of the Britons, at least of the northern tribes.
We may regard om- Newbigging specimen as a noble representative of the ancient Orcadian
race. In point of size, as is marked by its holding 83J ounces of sand, it is above the average.
Its stern facial featm-es receive force from this capacious calvarium, but doubtless would also
derive from it a modification of power nkemse, mental and moral. The evenness and equal
bulging out of the calvarium at aU points impart a mildness to the skuU which is at variance
with the angularity and wildness witnessed in some skulls of other races. That this appertained
to a man of consequence in his tribe is very probable from the mode of interment in a cist so
carefully built, and encompassed by a barrow of such magnitude.
MEASUREMENTS.
Horizontal circumference . 21-0 inches.
Longitudinal diameter . . . 7-1 „
Erontal Region.—Length . 5-0 „
Breadth . . 5-1 „
Height . 4-9 „
Parietal Region.—Length • 5-5 „
Breadth . . 5-7 „
Height . . 5-1 „
* In these skulls the bulging, which is more considerable,
is on the left side. In order to dispel the surmise, that this
occipital deformation may have been posthumous, it is worthy
of remark, that the Newbigging skull, in which the bulging
Occipital Region.—Length . . 4'9 inches.
Breadth . . 5-3 „
Height . . 4-2 „
Intermastoid arch 15'6 „
Internal capacity 83J ounces.
Eace—Length 5 0 inches.
Breadth 5-4 „
(J. B. D.)
is on the right side, was placed on this side in the grave;
whilst both, the Juniper Green and .Lesmurdie skulls lay on
their left sides, upon which also the bulging presents itself.
21. l-O