18fi8.] 447 rWyman. 



As far as this table can be accepted, it sliows that while there is a 

 difference between the human races as regards the position of the 

 foi'amen magnum, it is quite small when compared with the difference 

 between the human races and the apes; and contrary to Soemmerino-'s 

 assertion, the Negro does not make tlte nearest approach to the latter. 

 It is the North American Indian which has the lowest index.* 



3. Ckania from the Island of Kauai. 



Mr. Horace Mann of Cambridge, soon after his return from a bot- 

 anical excursion to the Hawaiian Islands, called my attention to the 

 fact that large numbers of crania and bones of the natives could be 

 had at Kauai. He kindly obtained for me the aid of Mr. Sanford B. 

 Dole, at that time residing there, by whom the valuable collection 

 described below was made, and to whom I would here express my 

 indebtedness for the intei'est he has taken in the subject. The follow- 

 ing letter, written by Mr. Dole after his arrival in the United States, 

 will explain the circumstances under which they were found. 



WiLLLVMSTOWN, Juue 24, 186T. 

 Prof. Wyman: — 



Dear Sir : On the southern shore of the Island of Kauai, for about four 

 miles, there is a series of low, volcanic hills facing the sea, with precipices 

 varying iu height from twenty to sixty feet. Between these hills are several 

 low sand beaches, from which the sand is ever carried inland by the trades. 

 The windward slopes of these hills are covered with white sand of varying 

 depth. 



Over this whole extent of sand beaches and hills, human bones are thickly 

 scattered, and here it was that I collected the skulls. Ten years ago they were 

 much more numerous than now. The wind is constantly uncovering the skele- 

 tons, and, when exposed, they are quickly destroyed by the weather and the 

 feet of cattle. At the time I speak of, it was easy to find perfect skeletons in 

 the exact position in which they were buried. This is now impossible, and even 

 perfect crania are becoming more scarce with every year. In olden times the 

 natives often made use of the soft sand-banks for sepulture, but the immense 

 number that was buried hei-e forbids the idea that it was any common burj'ing 

 place. The present generation of natives know nothing definite on the subject. 

 One of their traditions, as near as I can remember, is, that a fight between two 

 large fleets of canoes took place otf the coast, and that tlie defeated party was 

 driven ashore at this jilace, and many of them killed. A second tradition is 

 this; a tribe passing along the coast in canoes, and having landed in a secluded 

 little cove which is now pointed out, to bathe and refresh tliemselves, a rival 

 tribe cliarged down from the hills ai-onnd and cut oif almost the whole party. 



* The position of the foramen magnum, as will be seen by this table, is very differ- 

 ent in the young from what it is in the adult apes, the former approaching much 

 nearer to the human races tliau the latter. We have pointed out in a iormer vol- 

 ume of the Proceedings (is, p. 203) other striking resemblances between the cra- 

 nium of the young gorilla and the adult man, which are much dimiuislied as age 

 advances. 



