ON COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPHY AS APPLIED TO CEANIOLOGY. 109 



IG. A wiper, consisting of a sponjje tied to a stout rod, to dry tiie nieiisuring glass after each 

 measurement. 



17. An insufflator. 



18. A quantity of lycopodiuui in a convenient box or bottle; or a mixture of lycopodiuin and 

 charcoal. 



19. 20, 21, 22. Implemeuts for removing putty, from foss;e and foramina. We use dressing 

 forceps, tenaculum, scoop, and nail-brush. 



23. Thermometer. 

 Procedure. 



1. For this and all other methods of cubature of cranial cavities it is well to wash them out 

 carefully first. In making measurements with granular bodies the value of cleanliness may have 

 been overlooked and its absence may have proved an iun)ortant source of error. lu measuring 

 with water it has been observed that much dirt comes from some skulls. One complaint made 

 against methods where shot is used, is that they are dirty. This complaint would cease if the 

 skulls were washed. 



2. Before being washed or measured the skull should be weighed aud the weight recorded. 

 After washing it should be left for some weeks to dry, until it again weighs exactly the same as 

 before it was wet. This is to assure against increase in cul)ic capacity from absorption of moisture. 



3. Spray the inside of the skull uniformly and completely with the shellac varnish by means 

 of the reversible ether spray apparatus, taking care that the anterior and middle fossae are not 

 neglectetl, as they cannot be seen so well as other parts. Use exactly 10 cubic centimeters of the 

 varnish; this ainouut has been found sufficient to give the skull a complete coating; if more than 

 this amount is used at one time it is apt to pour out through the sutures. This quantity, too, will 

 leave exactly one ceutimeter of gum in the skull to be considered when we come to the cubing. 

 It will not, however, alter the results if another measure of 10 centimeters of varnish is used after 

 the first coat dries, care being taken to add one ceutimeter to the measurement for the additional 

 gum put in the skull. The ])endant portion of the skull should be often changed while the spray- 

 ing goes on, lest the varnish accumulate in one spot and flow out on the external table through 

 some open suture. The largest skulls may be well varnished by this means in about three min- 

 utes. It will be found a great saving of time to spray a large number at one sitting, as all the 

 apparatus used iu this work must be thoroughly washed with alcohol before being laid aside. 

 When the sprayiug is complete the skull should be allowed to remain, before measuring, long 

 enough for the alcohol to evaporate aud the varnish to harden ; for this, in our experiments, at 

 least twenty-four hours in a warm room has been given, but it is probable that a much shorter 

 time would suffice. 



4. The skull is examined, and if any artificial holes are found in its parietes, they are covered 

 with pieces of suitable size of the Jndia-rubber adhesive plaster. The sijhenoidal fissure and the 

 entire apex of the orbital cavity is also closed with a piece of this plaster, about au inch square, 

 well forced into place. 



5. Before the piece of plaster is put on the sphenoidal fissure, a piece of putty, sufficient to fill 

 it and no more, is pressed into the optic foramen. The orbits are then entirely filled with putty. 

 The carotid canal is next filled from its external opening, aud the putty is pressed until it appears 

 or is telt at the inner opening of the canal, or until no more will enter. The operator puts his 

 index finger iu at the foramen uuignum, aud places the tip, iu turu, in contact with the internal 

 orifice of each foramen of the base; "he holds it there and presses a piece of putty into the 

 foramen until he feels the putty comiug iu contact with his inserted finger; by this means he 

 knows that the foramen is filled, ami yet that the true cranial cavity is not encroached on. The 

 condyloid foramina aud the internal meatus are filled from within. He may put a piece of plaster 

 over the meatus instead of the putty. Next the nares are tilled completely with the putty, and 

 it is important that the substance should be well forced up to the base of the cribriform plate of 

 the ethmoid. Next the sphenopalatine and temporal fossiB are filled, the putty being well pressed 

 into all parts. If the squamous suture or other sutures are open, a little may be pressed into them, 

 care being taken that none is forced into the cerebral cavity proper. The base of the cranium 

 from the foramen magnum to the alveolar process is next liberally covered with putty applied with 



