100 



though the depression at the root of the nose is very notice- 

 able, still the height of the face does not appear so contracted 

 as in the remainder of the skulls. Again, while the molar 

 bones are similar to the Tasmanians, the subnasal prog- 

 nathism is greater. However, we have decided to class it 

 amongst the Tasmanians. 



GENERAL DESCRIPTION. 



Cranial Vault — The most striking feature of the cranial 

 vault is that which is so well described by Dr. Paul 

 Topinard* and quoted by J. Barnard Davisf. It is as 

 follows : — 



" At two or three centimetres from the bregma there begins 

 to be marked out a convexity of an oval form which contracts, 

 and freeing the bregma is transformed into an an tero- posterior 

 crest. This hollows in the middle to receive the sagittal 

 suture, seems to double itself, and terminates about half way 

 between the anterior and posterior fontanelles. Upon the 

 sides of this crest, at about a centimetre before the coronal 

 suture, take their rise at the same time two antero posterior 

 grooves, which hollow more and more as they proceed, and 

 end equally at half the length of the parietal. Lastly, quite 

 outside, are situated the parietal bosses, very much developed, 

 even conical." 



This keel-shaped vault is noticeable in all the crania under 

 consideration ; in Truganini's skull it is particularly notice- 

 able, as it is also in skull No. 2. 



The parietal eminences are well-defined and prominent in 

 every case, and the roof of the skull is markedly obovate in 

 shape. Six of the skulls have the obelion depressed. The 

 parietal foramina are very minute in most cases, but are 

 present in all the skulls. Viewed sideways, the rounded form 

 of the skulls in the region of the squamosals is striking in 

 all the crania, and in the majority the temporal fossse are 

 deep and extensive. The temporal ridge is well marked, 

 especially so in the male crania. The face presents features 

 so pronounced as to lead one to believe it impossible to 

 mistake a Tasmanian skull J, even leaving out of consider- 

 ation the characteristic keel-shaped vault. All the skulls 

 show the depression at the root of the nose, a-nd the projec- 

 tion of the glabella aud supra-orbital ridges noticed by Dr. 

 Topinard and others. No. 3 (a photograph of which, kindly 



* " Etude sur les Tasmaniens." Mem. de la Soc. d'Anthropolegie de Paris, iii , 

 309. " Daily life of the Tasmanians." Bonwiek, p. 116. 



t The Osteology and Peculiarities of the Tasmanians. J. Barnard Davis, p. 10. 



1 1 have seen in Australian skulls a depression of the root of the nose, a projec- 

 tion of the glabella and supra-orbital ridges equal to that of the average Tas- 

 manian skull, but the contraction of the face, the size and shape of the 

 orbits, and usually the position of the molar bones all serve to distinguish the 

 latter— W. R. H. 



