ON METOPISM 



33 



In the next table the averages are dealt with of the three prin- 

 cipal dimensions of the 134 metopical skulls and of the total 

 number of 1400 skulls. 



The height of the skull was measured from the bregmapoint 

 to the casion. 



As is clearly shown by the table, the height of metopical 

 skulls does not differ from the usual measure, for a decrease of 

 0.2 mm. is of no consequence. Regarding this dimension it 

 is certain that there exists no preponderance in metopical skulls. 

 And also the two other dimensions scarcely testify in favor of 

 such a supposition. For though it is true that metopical skulls 

 average 1 mm. broader than normal skulls, their length, on the 

 contrary, is a somewhat smaller one. The metopical skulls seem 

 to be shorter and broader than normal skulls. But the differences 

 are so insignificant that the capacity of metopical skulls equals 

 that of crania with united frontal bones. And an equality of 

 capacity includes an equality of brain weight. 



Thus it is obvious that neither in the shape, nor in the abso- 

 lute dimensions is there a striking difference between the two 

 groups of crania. In this regard the results of my investigation 

 does not agree with that of some other authors. The metopical 

 skulls which I examined were not more brachy-cephalic and were 

 not larger than the normal skulls with which they were compared. 

 And not without reason I consider the results of my own researches 

 to be of a greater value than the contradictory results of some 

 other investigators. For the 134 metopical skulls belonged to 

 the same group as the non-metopical with which they were com- 

 pared, the whole collection originating from one source. And 

 this was not always the case with the material used hitherto by 

 other investigators. 



The result of my research does not harmonize with the alreadj- 

 mentioned views upon the cause of metopism. I summarize that 



THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ANATOMY, VOL. 22, NO. 1 



