MEMOIKS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 209 



anomalies in the premature union of the cranial sutures, as well as the loss of the teeth and the 

 absorption of the alveoli, exist; but we are persuaded to believe that the series is a fairly typical 

 one and exhibits the normal condition of this race in these particulars. 



It may be urged that the determination of age upon the basis which we have adopted is not 

 sufficiently accurate for purposes of this kind; but there are few anatomists who would hesitate 

 to pronounce judgment upon the age of a skull from the evidences which we have cited. At all 

 events, we feel that we are entirely within the bounds of reasonable judgment when we say that 

 the classes " Old " and " Very Old " pertain to individuals not under 35 years of age. 



Of the class " Very Old" there are 13examples of the hyoid, in which union of the great cornua 

 with the body is found in 3. In these 3 cases the union is partial, for it is only upon the left 

 side that it exists. It should be stated that in 1 other of these 13 cases the hyoid is represented 

 by one of the great cornua only, so that it is impossible to say whether partial union existed or 

 not upon the opposite side in the case. 



Of the class "Old" we have 44 specimens in which bony union of the great cornua with the 

 body of the hyoid exists on both sides in 2, on the left side in 1, and on the right side in 1, making 

 i in all. Of these examples 9 are represented by one of the great cornua only, so that it is impos- 

 sible to say whether partial bony union existed upon the opposite side or not. In all the 4 cases 

 in which partial or complete bony union is found we have discovered skeletal disturbances in the 

 way of exostoses, unusual anchylosis, etc., which would naturally lead to the belief that the union 

 of the hyoid elements was an abnormal condition as well. Be this as it may, however, it will be 

 seen that the percentage of union is very small. Taking both classes in which there are 7 coossi- 

 ficatious in 57 specimens, we have a percentage of only over 12 as against 65 and 77 of the white 

 and negro, respectively. 



This difference is marked, and in our judgment can not be accounted for upon any other 

 hypothesis than that of a natural anatomical distinction which these people possess. In the 

 paper which Dr. ten Kate and the writer prepared upon this material we stated at that time 



That owing to the lack of materials for proper comparison -we are unable to make any satisfactory deduction 

 respecting the hyoid at this particular time, and what we here note must be regarded as merely a statement of fact 

 to be correlated in its proper place. * * If, on the other hand, we are to accept the statements of many of 

 the anatomists we have already quoted, then we can say that the very high percentage of free hyoidean elements 

 which we have found in these ancient people distinguishes them markedly from some other races. If, again, it is 

 found that this condition of the hyoid is general in North American Indians, as well perhaps as some other races, it 

 would be interesting to know in what way, if any, it is associated with their language. 



These surmises were probably correct, and there appear to be marked distinctions between 

 the hyoideau apparatus of these ancient Saladoaus on the one hand and the whites and negroes 

 on the other, a distinction which is indicated by the percentages already set forth. 



In a series of 17 specimens recently received from the ancient cemeteries in the vicinity of 

 Zufii, New Mexico, there are 4 showing bony union of the great cornua and 13 are free. A careful 

 inspection of the skeletons to which they belong gives an indication of age from at least 35 years 

 and upwards. The percentage in this case is 23 and a little over. 



From a few specimens (9 in all) of hyoids of the so-called Mound Builders there are 4 coo'ssi- 

 flcations, giving a percentage of 44 and a fraction; but this series is too small to be of much value 

 to us. 



Itegarding the lesser coriiua we have not devoted that attention to them that we have given 

 to the greater cornua and body of the hyoid: but if we are to judge from what Prof. Thomas 

 Dwight, of the Harvard Medical School, says, it would seem that they may be entirely absent. In 

 a letter transmitting the record of observations given above, he writes: 



The result of the examination of the lesser horns is rather surprising, as it shows that they are very rarely united 

 to the body of tho bone, that the mode of connection with the body varies, and that one or both may be entirely 

 wanting. In only one of tho 33 hyoids were both lesser horns classified, and in only 4 others was a single horn thus 

 united. It is generally taught that the joint between the body and lesser horn is synovial. This is certainly true 

 in many cases but not iu all. Sometimes the lesser horn is attached by ligament, and at least in one ease I have found 

 ,t held by muscular fibers. In other cases, owing chiefly to the parts having become dry, it was impossible to decide 

 whether this was a true synovial joint or not. In several cases one or both the lesser horns were not found, and it 

 was not always possible to determine whether the absent piece hud been lost or had never existed. It was, however, 

 S. Mis. 169 14 



