DB. J. TIITJTiyAM OX SYNOSTOSIS OF THE CRA.NrA.L BONFS. 265 



in a line from the glabella to the inion, or " tuberosity" of the 

 transverse occipital spine. In the skull from Charlcombe this line 

 measures only 6*4 inches, and falls short of the greatest length by as 

 much as eight-tenths of an inch, or 20 millimeters. This implies an 

 unusual backward prolongation of the posterior lobes of the brain 

 and of the corresponding part of the occipital bone. The lengthened 

 form of skull is that which we have learned from M. M. Grratiolet 

 and P. Broca to distinguish as occipital dolichocephalism. Turning 

 to the upper part of the calvarium, the frontal region is narrow, 

 though not particularly low. The supraciliary ridges are slightly 

 marked, but the glabella is full, and the frontal and parietal eminences 

 are well expressed. There is a broad but very shallow depression 

 behind the coronal suture which is prolonged downwards and back- 

 wards across the occiput, in the line of the transverse spine, 

 where the depression is most pronounced and is quite consider- 

 able. As all the sutures, including the sphenoidal, are open and 

 gnping, synostosis can have had nothing to do with any of the 

 peculiarities in the form of this skull. Is it probable that this depres- 

 .sion has arisen from the distorting effect of some form of head dress, 

 similar perhaps to that which is still applied to the heads of in- 

 fants in various parts of France, as described by Drs. Foville and 

 Lunier? This consists of a neckerchief passed twice round the head 

 from the corona either to the back of the neck, when the resulting 

 deformity (which is that of the Charlcombe skull) is designated annular 

 by Dr. Gosse ; or is carried under the chin and jaw, when it is termed 

 hilohed by the same writer.* The question just asked must I believe 

 be ansvrered by a negative. 



Eejecting the idea of these slighter deviations from a regular 

 form being produced by obliteration of the sutures, and consequent 

 syDostosis of the sphenoid with the frontal and parietals, we are led 

 to search for some other cause. And here we inquire whether they are 

 not to be regarded as original and natural, and to be referred to the 

 forRi and course of development of the brain ; such as may be peculiar 

 to individuals and families, to tribes and races. The very eminent 

 Professor von Baer observes, that in dolichocepbalic skulls regarded 

 by him as undistorted, there is often a shallow depression behind the 



* Foville, Deform, du Crane resultant de la Methode de couvrir la Tefe dea 

 JSnf ans, 1S34. Lunier, Ifeform. du Crane, dans le Depavfemeni des Deux-Secres 

 AnvaUs Med. Psychol. 1852, tx)m. iv. pp. 42, 56. Gosse, Dejorm Artif: du 

 Crane, 1855. {Tefe annulaire) p. 62, pi. v. fig. 1 {Tete bilolee), p. C6. pi, v. fig. 2, 

 pi. ii. fig. 3., pi. iv. fig. 9. 



N.H.R,— 186S. T 



