839 



diapophysis suddenly increases in length and thickness. The diapophyses of the fourth 

 lumbar incline forward : those of the fifth are much increased in breadth. The space between 

 the anterior superior and anterior inferior spinous processes of the ilium is shorter and more 

 concave than in the European skeleton, No. 5569. The bones of the foot are better deve- 

 loped, and, independently of artificial articulation, the toes are more parallel and are slightly 

 divergent, instead of converging toward their extremities ; the phalanges of the toes are also 

 longer, especially the middle and distal ones of the fifth or little toe : these characters relate 

 to the absence of artificial confinement of the foot by a shoe, and this skeleton yields a more 

 natural view of the osteological structure of the human foot than can generally be gained from 

 those of Europeans. The most remarkable individual varieties observable in the present ske- 

 leton are the bifurcation of the sternal extremity of the third rib of the left side ; but the 

 cartilages continued from the divisions converge and unite to form a single articulation with 

 the sternum, at the usual place, between its second and third part. Each humerus is per- 

 forated above the ulnar trochlea. The crest of the left ilium is partially thickened and 

 absorbed. The individual died of extensive disease of the lungs ; their structure was almost 

 entirely destroyed by tubercles, many of which were in a state of suppuration. 



The body was obtained for the purpose of preserving the skeleton, and the very beautiful 

 examples of tattooed cutis it afforded; of which there are three specimens (Nos. 1864, C, D 

 & E), preserved in the Gallery of the Museum. 



Presented by Sir William Blizard, F.R.S. 



5387. -The skull of a Polynesian, native of the Sandwich Islands. 



The forehead is narrow and sloping, but the cranium is large and expanded at the parietal 

 protuberances. The glabella and supraciliary ridges are prominent. The malars are large 

 and moderately prominent. The upper jaw is produced. There is a strong supramastoid 

 ridge on the left side, and a second ridge at the posterior inferior angle of the parietal, which 

 is strongly developed on the right side. The occipital spine is unusually protuberant and 

 rugged. 



Purchased. 



The skull of a male, native of the Pejee Islands. 



The forehead, though narrow, is more elevated in this than in the preceding skull, with 

 which it otherwise agrees in general shape and size. The glabella is much less prominent 

 and the superorbital boundary is thin and neatly defined. 



In a letter from Mr. George Bennett, F.L.S., of Sydney, he writes : " The natives of the 

 Fejee Islands, of New Caledonia, New Hebrides, and the Solomon Islands, appear to be of 

 Papuan origin, but in many of the islands mixed to some extent with their neighbours of 

 Malayan origin." The present skull presents the characters of the Polynesian, rather than 

 those of the Papuan. The individual died of general strumous disease and extensive ulcera- 

 tion of the mucous membranes, in the Hospital at Hobart Town, Tasmania. 



Presented by Dr. Hobsott. 



