MUNIZ—MC GEE] OPERATION CERTAINLY ANTE-MORTEM 35 
There is no certain indication of lesion antecedent to the operation, 
though a fracture, defining the anterior edge of the right parietal in 
the broken cranium, passes the sagittal suture and extends into the 
aperture; it is, however, probable that this fracture was long post- 
mortem and produced on collecting the specimen. 
CRANIUM 9 
(Plates XVII, XVIIT) 
The principal bones of this specimen are fairly preserved, though 
somewhat bleached. The skull is rather small and thinner than the 
mean of the collection, though the processes and attachments are 
strong; about the single artificial aperture it averages 3 mm. in thick- 
ness. The sagittal suture is nearly obliterated in the middle third of 
its length, though the other sutures are distinct, the condition on the 
whole indicating early middle age. 
The operation displayed by the specimen was located in the middle of 
the left half of the frontal bone, centering about 45 mm. above the orbit; 
it is elliptical, with one flattened side, measuring about 16 by 25 mm. 
on the inner surface, or 19 by 53 mm. on the outer surface of the skull. 
The margins are somewhat weathered, rendering the testimony of the 
specimen concerning the operation and its consequences somewhat 
doubtful. On the whole, the form of the aperture and the features 
of the margin indicate that it was produced by a clumsy single-point 
instrument, such as a stone spearhead, rather deftly operated in such 
manner as to produce a curved incision describing nearly a semicircle, 
with the extremities more sharply curved and joined by a straight 
cut; the instrument being held nearly vertical while forming the sides 
of the contemplated aperture, but slanted toward the ends, either 
clumsily or to facilitate the insertion of an elevator. Apparently 
the edges of the aperture were afterward smoothed somewhat; yet 
the condition of the bone, including the obliteration of the diploe by 
local replacement, indicates considerable reparative process, extending 
to the growth of bony spicules, now largely removed by weathering 
and erosion. It is unquestionable that the operation was ante-mortem, 
and that the sufferer survived, probably for years. 
While there is no clear indication of antecedent lesion, there is a faint 
line parallel with the superior side of the aperture and 3 or 4 mm. dis- 
tant (which does not appear in the reproduction), possibly marking the 
limit of a small depressed fracture. 
CRANIUM 10 
(Plates XTX, XX) 
This is a well-preserved skull, considerably stained with ocher or cave 
earth. It is small but strong, with the usual splendidly developed liga- 
ment attachments, and, though some 5 mm. thick, has been preserved 
in such manner as to be exceptionally light. Some of the sutures are 
