SOCIETY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN. 93 



(a) A transverse row of short oblique parallel lines enclosed between two transverse 



lines (Plate IV., Fig. 1); skull No. 4. 



(b) Cross-hatching (Plate IV., Figs. 2 and 3) ; skull No. 6. 



(c) A row of chevrons enclosed between two parallel lines (Plate IV., Fig. 4) ; 



skull No. 9. 



(d) Two transverse undulating bands carved in low relief (Plate IV., Fig. 5) ; 



skull No. 10. 



(e) Two transverse zig-zag bands carved in low relief (Plate IV., Fig. 6) ; 



skull No. 11. 



(/) Two transverse undulating bands separated by one straight band, and enclosed 

 between two others : also carved in low relief (Plate IV., Fig. 7) ; skull 

 No. 12. 



(g) Two narrow sickle-shaped spaces placed vertically, enclosing a downward- 

 pointed horse-shoe pattern, within which is contained an elongated oval 

 figure (Plate IV., Fig. 8); skull No. 14. 



It is doubtful - what this form of decoration signifies, some con- 

 sidering that it has reference to the mythology of the people, but Mr. 

 Craigen says that his belief is that it denotes relationship to the head 

 of the house. Considered as works of art the specimens before us are 

 of a decidedly primitive character. The Papuans can, however, pro- 

 duce much more elaborate work as seen in many decorated articles 

 belonging to the New Guinea collection, deposited in the Anthropo- 

 logical Museum of the University. 



Five of these skulls have evidently been kept suspended in native 

 huts or some other such place. The method of suspension is by 

 means of a cane-loop passing through the nasal fossae and round the 

 hard palate, in this way forming a ring round the upper jaw. When 

 the lower jaw is present it is included as well (Plate V., Fig. 2). 

 From this loop there projects in front a central stem of the same 

 material usually over a foot long, with another loop at the far end. 

 By means of this handle the skull could be suspended or carried in 

 the hand. Many of the skulls have the appearance of having been 

 kept in this way in a smoky atmosphere as evidenced by their 

 blackened appearance especially in the occipital and basal regions. 

 Nos. 2, 3, 6 and 8 show this loop intact, but in No. 5 the part 

 encircling the upper jaw only remains. 



