264 



ANTHROPOLOGICAL, SURVEY IN ALASKA 



[ETH. ANN. 46 



Faoial Dimensions of the Western and Other Eskimo Crania Compared 

 With Those of the Siouan and Algonquian Tribes 



So far as known there are no larger faces among the Indians than 

 those of the Sioux, yet they remain very perceptibly, in all three 

 measurements, behind the Eskimo. No face as large as that of the 

 Eskimo is known, in fact, from anywhere else in the world. In 

 whites the mean diameter of the largest faces (see data in Martin's 

 Lehrbuch Anthrop., 789-791) does not exceed 10.36 centimeters. 

 The above showing assumes especial weight when it is recalled that 

 both the Siouan and the Algonquian tribes are among the tallest there 

 are on the American Continent. The cause of the large size of the 

 Eskimo face can only be the excessive use of the jaws; no other 

 reason even suggests itself. But the character may already be more 

 or less hereditary. It furnishes another attractive subject for further 

 investigation. 



AVith its large dimensions the face of the Eskimo skull presents 

 generally also large orbits, large molars, submedium prominence and 

 breadth of the nasal bridge, shallow suborbital (canine) fossae, large 

 dental arch above medium teeth, and a large and stout lower jaw 

 with broad not seldom more or less everted angles, giving the whole 

 a characteristic appearance. With partial exception of the orbits 

 and the nose, which are subject also to other factors, all these features 

 of the Eskimo face are explainable as strengthenings resulting from 

 the increased function of mastication. 



The main dimensions of the cranial face in the three large group- 

 ings of the Eskimo are given in the next table. 



