has been accomplished for this science in America, but also the
chief part of all the contributions which it has, from time to time,
received from different sources. It is well known to the ethnological
world, that at the time of his death (1851), he was slowly and
carefully maturing his views upon the great leading questions of
his favorite science, by researches of the most varied and extensive
character. From the cranioscopical details which constitute so important
a feature in that elaborate work, the Crania Americana, he
had been gradually and almost insensibly led to occupy a more
comprehensive field — a field embracing ethnology in its physiological
and archaeological aspects. The Crania JEgyptiaca was the
forerunner of a contemplated series of philosophical generalizations
in Anthropology,—the matured and positive conclusions of years
of severe and cautious study. In this series, so long contemplated,
so often delayed for critical examination, and at last so unexpectedly,
and I may add, so unfortunately arrested, Dr. M orton fondly hoped
to develope and clearly demonstrate the fundamental principles or
elements of scientific ethnology. But Providence had ordered otherwise
; for at this critical juncture — so critical for the proper exposition
of Dr. M.’s long treasured and anxiously examined views, as
well as for the proper direction of the infant science—he was stricken
down, and the rich mental gatherings of a life-time dissipated in a
" moment.45
Through the munificent kindness of a number of our citizens, his
magnificent collection of Human Crania, recently increased by the
receipt of sixty-seven skulls from various sources, has been permanently
deposited in the Museum of the Academy,46 a silent but
expressive witness of the scientific zeal, industry, and singleness of
purpose of one who, to use the language of Mr. D a v is , “ has the
rare merit, after the distinguished Grbttingen Professor, of having
by his genius laid the proper basis of this science, and by his
labors raised upon this foundation the two first permanent and
beautiful superstructures, in the Crania Americana, and the Crania
ASgyptiaca.”47
Prior to his decease, Dr. M. had received about 100 crania, in
addition to those mentioned in the third edition of his Catalogue.
Since 1849, therefore, the collection has been augmented by the
addition of 167 skulls. Very recently I have carefully inspected,
re-arranged, and labelled it, and prepared for publication a new and
corrected edition of the Catalogue. At present the collection embraces
1035 crania, representing more than 150 different nations,
45 Unpublished Introduction to “ Descriptions and Delineations of Skulls in the Mortonian
Collection.”
46 See Proceedings of the Academy, Vol. YI. pp. 321, 324.
47 Crania Britannica, decade I., p. 1.
tribes, and races. It occupies sixteen cases on the first gallery, on
the south side of the lower room of the Museum. For convenience
of study and examination, I have grouped it according to Race,
Family, Tribe, &c., strictly adhering, however, to the classification
of Dr. Morton.
The crania are distributed as follows z48
I . C a u c a s ia n G r o u p .
1. Scandinavian Race.
Norwegian ........., ....... ........................ i
Swedish P e a s a n t s 7
Finland Swedes. .......................................... 2
Sudermanland Swedes........................... 3
Ostrogoth ........ i
Turannic Swede........................... 1
Cimbric Swedes........... .............. 3
Swedish Finns..................... 3
21
2. Finnish or Tchudic Race.
True Finns ............ 10
3. Suevic Race.
Germans .......... ,...................... H
Dutchman.......................................... l
Prussians ................................ 4
Burgundian ...... ......... .. ............ 1
17
4. Anglo-Saxon.
English................................................... 4
5. Anglo-American. 8
6. Celtic Race.
Irish .................. ......................... 8
Celtic (i) heads from Catacombs of Paris, 4
Celt (?) from the field of Waterloo 1
13
7. Sclavonic Race.
Sclavonians ............................................... 2
8. Pelasgic Race.*9
Ancient Phoenician... ....................... 1
Ancient Roman........................................ 1
Greek .................................... 1
Circassians ........................... . 4
Armenians ............. 6
Parsees............................. .................... . 2
Affghan ............. \
Grmco-Egyptians....................................... 23
39
9. Semitic Race.
Arabs............... g
H eb rew s............................... .................
Abyssinian.......................... i
14
10. Berber Race. (?)
Guanch£ ......... 1
11. Nilotic Race.
Ancient Theban Egyptians..................... 34
“ Memphite “ '..... ....... ............. 17
“ Abydos ... “ ................ 2
Alexandrian.“ ...... 3
Egyptians from Gizeh.................... 16
Kens or Ancient Nubians......................... 4
Ombite Egyptians ................................... 3
Maabdeh Egyptians. ........................ 4
Miscellaneous ...... 5
Fellahs................................... .......... 19
107
12. Indostanic Race.
Bengalese.................................................... 32
Uncertain ............................... 3
43
13. Indo-Chinese Race.
Burmese .......... 2
II. M o n g o l i a n G r o u p .
1. Chinese Race.
Chinese l i
Japanese. l
12
48 It is proper to observe, that the above table is not an attempt at scientific classification,
but simply an arrangement adopted for convenience of study and examination.
49 Dr. Morton used the term Pelasgic too comprehensively. The Circassians, Armenians
and Persians should not be placed in this group.