368 Dr, Dawson^ s additional notes on 



bably the result of unequal posthumous compression. The ab- 

 normal conformation of this skull is shown in the proportions of 

 the intermastoid arch, which measures only 11.75, while the 

 normal mean, so far as ascertained by me from measurements of 

 thirty-three examples of Algonquin crania is 14.34, and of thirty- 

 six examples of Huron crania is 14. 70." 



The teeth, of most of the skulls found are remarkable for their 

 regularity, though in old age they were much worn, and many 

 were lost by decay. In two examples however, both of persons 

 who must have died in youth, the teeth were very unequally de- 

 veloped. All the entire skeletons repose in a crouching posture, 

 not erect, but incHned or lying on one side, and usually with the 

 head towards the west. In a few instances, skulls and portions 

 of skeletons were found detached; but these seem to have been 

 disturbed by the plough or by modern excavations. Two very 

 remarkable exceptions to the general mode of occurrence of the 

 human remains deserve special notice. 



Near one of the cooking places, and at the depth of about 2 

 feet, intermixed with the bones of wild animals and frao-ments of 

 pottery and charcoal, wer^ found portions of a human jaw, which 

 had belonged to an immature individual, and had evidently been 

 broken, or gnawed by animals, when recent. This might raise a 

 suspicion of occasional cannibalism on the part of the inhabitants 

 of Hochelaga, were it not for the possibility that it may be a 

 memorial of the destruction of the village, in which it is probable 

 that many of its people both young and old. may have perished 

 in the ruins of their dwellings. It can scarcely be 'connected 

 with the tortures or indignities inflicted on prisoners of war, as 

 these remains were not those of an adult ; but it may possibly 

 refer to the practice indicated by the specimens next to be de- 

 scribed. 



These are two vessels, possibly drinking cups, formed of por- 

 tions of human skulls. One of them was given to me by Mr. 

 Dand, th^ other is in the collection of Mr. Murphy. Both have 

 been formed of parietal bones, rudely cut and smoothed around 

 the edffes, and one has a round hole in the maro-in for a handle 

 or string. These relics, no doubt, point to the custom, attributed 

 to several of the primitive tribes of the old world, of using the 

 skulls of slain enemies as vessels for domestic uses. Whether 

 this practice is to be ascribed to the inhabitants of old Hochelaga, 

 or to the enemies by whom it was destroyed, is less certain, and 



