THE SKULL AS A BASIS FOR RACE CLASSIFICATION. 17 
Although we do not possess data concerning the capacity 
and proportions of the skulls of newly-born infants of different. 
races, yet we know that all human beings are born with 
heads of the largest size compatible with safe parturition. 
It is only when we deal with adult skulls that the data 
become available for comparison and classification, because 
the infant skull, besides being difficult to obtain, is not 
really suitable for the study of dimensions and capacity. 
In dealing with the skull, it is essential at the outset 
to distinguish between the Cranium and the Face. 
The Cranium proper is the box which contains the brain, 
and in forming an estimate of its size and dimensions, we 
may measure its capacity, its circumference in different 
directions, or segments of its circumference and the chords. 
which subtend them. 
The Face is chiefly associated with the apparatus con- 
nected with the senses of sight, smell, and taste; with the 
masticatory apparatus, and also to a minor extent with the 
sense of hearing. It may be measured so as to ascertain 
its dimensions either as a whole or in reference to its parts, 
At the outset it will be necessary to look at the skull as a 
whole for the purpose of familiarising ourselves with certain 
of the more commonly used technical terms and their appli- 
cation in connection with skull measurements or craniometry. 
The skull may be looked at from ABOVE, from BELOW, 
from the SIDE, from the FRONT, and from the BAcK. Each 
of the aspects or surfaces is termed a Norma. In con- 
nection with each Norma a few words will suffice. 
Norma Verticalis—We note first the Bregma (Gr. 
brechd, to moisten), which is the point where the coronal 
and sagittal sutures meet. It is also the region of the 
anterior fontanelle of the infant, and hence it is called the 
bregmatic fontanelle. At the posterior end of the sagittal 
suture where it joins the lambdoidal suture is the Lambda. 
(Gr. A), and a short distance in front of this point between 
the parietal foramina is the Obelion. The highest point. 
in the line of the sagittal suture is the Vertex. When 
the skull slopes away from the vertex on either side it is 
_ said to be “ill-filled,’ but when, on the other hand, it 
bulges on either side it is called “ well-filled ” (Cleland). 
VOL. II. 2 
