BY N. DE MIKLOUHO-MACLAY. 685 



communication of Mr. Roepstorff made the remark (I), that 

 although the large size of the teeth of the Nicobarese depends, 

 according to the chemical analysis, upon the formation of a new- 

 kind of tartar (Weinsteiu), it remains still a question, whether it is 

 possible to explain in the same way the large teeth of the 

 Melanesians described by me, and that in the latter case furthe^ 

 clearing up is necessary. 



The pi-esent note shows, that in my opinion, the enlargement of 

 the teeth of the natives of the Admiralty and Lub-Islands is of 

 a similar nature to that which occurs amongst the Nicobar 

 Islanders, and is very likely produced by the same cause. A 

 striking example of the size attained by teeth, incrusted with this 

 kind of tartar, is represented on the adjoined plate. (Figs. 9, 10, 

 11, 12.) 



The very remarkable size of the two lower incisors f carefully 

 measured) causes one to wonder, how they can find room in the 

 mouth. 



The " Lechen-tshuven " (2) are regarded by the natives, as far as 

 I could observe, as a kind of beauty, and possessors of such are 

 appai-ently very proud of them and treat them with care, (3) 



The above explains sufficiently why the designation " Macro- 

 dontism" must be dropped. It may be replaced by the name 

 Odontolithiasis, which is certainly a more suitable one. (4) 



(1) Loc. cit. Sitzung am 18 Juni, 1881, p. 219. 



(2) The natives on the Island Sorry' (or Wild Islands) in Nares Harbour, 

 call the large teeth ''Lechen-tshuven.'" Very likely the name in the 

 other dialects of the Admiralty Islands for the same will be different. 



(3) Care is necessary, because the enormous teeth have not corres- 

 pondingly enormous fangs. 



(4) I am indebted to Prof. W. J. Stephens for the suggestion of this 

 very appropriate name, from obovs tooth, and Xidiaais, stony deposit. 



