172 DESCRIITION OF TWO TASMANIAN ABORIGINAL CRANIA. 



and actual measurements, to that of Homo primogenesis, as 

 represented by the Neandertal skull. As instancing this, the 

 following measurements are given: — 



Homo prmxo gene sis Homo 



(Neandertal) tasmayiensis. 



(From Munro's (Tas. Mus. No. 

 Prehistoric Britain) A. (E.H.) 558) 



Ant.-Posterior (Max. Dia.) .. 200 mm. 205 mm. 



Transverse (Max. Dia.) .. .. 144 mm. 148 mm. 



Frontal (Minimum) 106 mm. 115 mm. 



Frontal (Maximum) 122 mm. *117.5 mm. 



Cephalic Index 72 mm. 72.19 mm. 



The points that the Tasmanian skull emphasised more 

 thoroughly than any recent race were the prominent glabella, 

 superciliary ridges, and narrowing (post-orbital) of the 

 frontal bone. It will be seen how these compare with the 

 Neandertal skull, the actual measurements of the two skulls 

 being very similar. The Tasmanian skull does not, of course, 

 present the marked flattening of the cranial vault which is so 

 characteristic of Homo primogenesis. The Pars glabellaris, 

 whilst very prominent and pronounced, has not the rugged 

 projection of the Neandertal skull; in consequence, the 

 narrowing of the frontal bone is not thrown into such strong- 

 relief as in the latter. 



Not having the actual measurements of the Neandertal 

 calvarium we are not able to compare the superior portions 

 of the occipital of A (E.H.) 558 with it. Attention has, 

 however, been drawn to the depth and shape of the cerebral 

 fossse. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATES. 



Plate XXIV. 



Palate of Tasmah Island skull (Tas. Mus. A. 298). 



Plate XXV. 



Fig. 1. Reduced outline {Norma lateralis) of Tasmanian 

 Aboriginal skull (Tas. Mus. A (E.H.) 558). 



Fig. 2. Reduced outline of Neandertal skull, from cast in 

 the Tasmanian Museum. 



(Note: — In the absence of a dioptograph these outlines were obtained 

 from actual photographs of the Specimens.) 



♦Between existing processes. 



