ANTHROPOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 171 



function of the strut in all combination trusses, but it shortens and 

 straightens the line of the sinew, thus bringing its rigidity and 

 elasticity into full play. In this, as in so many other instances of 

 merely experimental evolution, the best results of abstract theory 

 are arrived at. 



Ninety-Seventh Regular Meeting, May 19, 1885. 



Vice-President Dr. Robert Fletcher in the Chair. 



The Chair announced the death of Count Giovanni Battiste Erco- 

 lani, of Bologna, Italy, a correaponding member, after which a 

 memoir was read by Dr. E. R. Reynolds, who, in the course of his 

 remarks, presented to the Society an embroidered Italian flag and 

 a number of scarfs and mourning wreaths contributed by various 

 scientific societies of Italy, of which Count Ercolani was a member. 

 The Chair remarked that Count Ercolani would probably be remem- 

 bered principally for his discovery that the circulation of the blood 

 was known and promulgated prior to Harvey. 



Dr. Matthews then read a paper upon "The Cubature of the 

 Skull," which was followed by some inquiries by Dr. Frank Baker 

 and Mr. Bates, leading to further remarks by Dr. Matthews. 



abstract. 



The lecturer discussed briefly the various methods which have 

 been employed in the volumetric measurement of the cranial con- 

 tents and pointed out their various defects. He then described a 

 method which he had recently devised and employed in the Army 

 Medical Museum at Washington. 



After recording the weight of the skull it is varnished inside 

 with thin shellac varnish, applied by means of a reversible spray 

 apparatus. Artificial or accidental orifices are closed with India- 

 rubber adhesive plaster. The foramena and fossae are filled with 

 putty. The skull is wrapped in a coating of putty an inch 

 or more in thickness, which renders it water-tight. It is filled 

 with water by means of a special apparatus in forty-five seconds and 

 emptied in fifteen seconds. The rapidity of this manipulation in 

 conjunction with the varnishing prevents soaking into the sinuses 

 and the undue measurement of water which does not pertain to the 



