482 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [1897. 



Comparative Measurements of Skulls. — At the meeting of the 

 Anthropological Section of the Academy, held October 8, 1897, 

 Dr. Harrison Allen presented a number of Hawaiian skulls, 

 placed in his hands by Dr. Whitney, who had enjoyed exceptional 

 opportunities for their collection. It had been found, he said, that 

 the Hawaiian people of high caste selected different burial places 

 from those of low caste, the former choosing caves as places of 

 sepulture, the latter interring their dead on the sea coast. This 

 custom renders it easy to divide the skulls into two classes, whose 

 distinction is also indicated in their characteristics. He had found, 

 on comparison of these classes of skulls, that they presented well- 

 marked distinctions, not due to any difference of race, but simply to 

 different habits and conditions. The skulls of high caste origin 

 were found to have characters due, in his opinion, to higher intelli- 

 gence and more luxurious habits of living than those belonging to 

 the lower caste, all the differences observed being probably referable 

 to these causes. 



In comparing these characters he adopted a special method, con- 

 stituting a modification of the ordinary method. Instead of indi- 

 cating variations by curves, he arranged the numbers representing 

 the measurements of significant features in the series of skulls, in 

 steps, or terraces, each step indicating by its width the degree of 

 preponderance of its corresponding number. Omissions in the 

 series of numbers were likewise indicated. He considered this 

 method superior to that of curves, as greatly simplifying the com- 

 parisons of a series of numbers, and enabling conclusions to be 

 readily aivd quickly drawn. 



This communication possesses a special value in its being the last 

 made by Dr. Allen, whose death took place shortly after its deliv- 

 ery. 



The following were ordered to be printed : — 



