Ancient Inhabitants of the Canary Islands. 381 



the Egyptians. Some were placed in coffins, others were 

 wrapped in sheeps' and goats' skins. They were placed in 

 caverns in almost inaccessible situations ; some in erect pos- 

 tui-e, others reclining. Mention is made of one of an agec^, 

 woman, which was placed in a bent position, with her knees 

 drawn up, like those of Peruvian mummies. The mummies 

 of the Guanchees exhibited considerable differences as to the 

 care and expense bestowed in their preparation, both as to the 

 character of the covering, which was sometimes raw, at other 

 times tanned ; sometimes single, and at other times extending 

 to six envelops, sown together with admirable workmanship. 

 Having some very intelligent friends residing in the Cana- 

 ries for the benefit of their health, I took advantage of the op- 

 portunity to correspond with them on the subject of the an- 

 cient inhabitants of those islands. They found that the traces 

 of their former existence were, to a great degree, obliterated ; 

 and of the mummies, formerly so numerous, not a single spe- 

 cimen was to be obtained. 



My friend C. Smith, however, kindly exerted himself, and 

 succeeded in obtaining portions of three or four skeletons. 

 All of these, even granting that they belong to individuals of 

 the female sex — which was probably the case — are evidently 

 the remains of individuals of small stature. 



As I had hitherto merely observed, without measuring, I was 

 desirous of putting the question to the test of actual measui-e- 

 ment, and I was pleased to find that this could be applied to a 

 considerable number of specimens. The result of this inquiry 

 I shall now offer in a tabular form. As there has been no pick- 

 ing and selection in bringing together these data, it may very 

 fairly be supposed that they will furnish a tolerably accurate 

 idea of the average dimensions of the race to which they be- 

 long. 



A male Gnanche in the College of Surgeons. 



Height, . . . 



Breadth of os frontis. 



Arm, 



Radius, 



Femur, 



Guanche, 

 Do. male. 

 Do. female, 



