308 Dr. Scouler on the form of the Skull, &jc, 



hering to the bones. This was taken from a little natural mummy brought 

 from one of the canoes in which the Indians deposit their dead, and where, 

 by being protected from the rain and exposed to the air, they often be- 

 come desiccated. 



The compression of the infant's head is effected in the following manner. 

 A piece of wood is selected 2^ or 3 feet long and about 12 or 14 inches 

 broad, and is cushioned with Sphagnum and fur, having a board of equal 

 breadth at the top attached by leather thongs, and furnished with thongs 

 at the opposite corners. The child's head being previously swaddled is 

 laid on the board, which serves all the purposes of a cradle, the neck 

 resting on the high pillow so that the head hangs back ; the board at the 

 top is then brought forwards on the brow and laced down, gradually tight- 

 ening it as the operation advances. 



Explanation of the Figure.* 

 Tab. IX. Fig. 2. 



A. The body of the cradle. 



B. The board which is placed on the brow. 



C. The thongs by which it is attached. 



D. The high pillow for the neck. 



E. The loop holes 



F. Thongs for lacing down the board on the brow to the loop holes, 



G. A hoop for the support of the child's feet, when the cradle is 

 standing erect. 



* I am indebted for the accompanying figure, to my friend, Mr. David 

 Douglas, who had equally with myself noticed this singular custom among 

 the North-west American Indians. 



