294 report— 1884. 



fore, have no repoi'fc to make at present, but they think it well to ask to 

 be reappointed, in order that they may be in a position to watch the 

 working of the Act, and, if necessary, to report upon it. The Committee 

 would be glad if the grant of hi. for expenses could be renewed. 



Report of the Committee, consisting of Mr. J. Park Harrison, 

 General Pitt-Rivers, Mr. F. G-alton, Professor Flower, Pro- 

 fessor Thane, Dr. Beddoe, Mr. Brabrook, Dr. Muirhead, Mr. F. W. 

 Rodler, Professor Macalister, and Dr. Garson {Secretary), 

 appointed for the purpose of defining the Facial Characteristics 

 of the Races and Principal Crosses in the British Isles, and ob- 

 taining Illustrative Photographs with a view to their publication. 



During the past year your Committee have found it necessary to extend 

 their researches into the domain of physical anthropology considerably 

 further than has been done by this Committee in previous years, being 

 convinced that it is only by a knowledge of the physical characters 

 of the earlier inhabitants of the United Kingdom that the intricate 

 question they have in hand can be properly elucidated. Accordingly a 

 sub-committee, consisting of Professors Macalister and Thane and Dr. 

 Garson, was appointed to examine carefully all the osteological remains 

 preserved in different museums and elsewhere of the early inhabitants of 

 the country. To assist in the investigation other members of the Com- 

 mittee have undertaken to act as referees in those portions of the work 

 to which each has specially devoted himself ; thus it has been arranged 

 for the examination of any archaeological, geological, and historical 

 questions which may arise. Much of the time of the sub-committee 

 has been occupied in determining what measurements of the skull and 

 other parts of the skeleton will be of most use in carrying on the 

 investigation, and in several instances it has been necessary to make 

 experimental researches as to the value of some of the numerous measure- 

 ments pi'oposed by different anthropologists, in order to ascertain the 

 most suitable for the purpose in view. Such researches, though tedious 

 and involving much labour, will, when completed, your Committee have 

 reason to hope, form a decided advance in physical anthropology. 

 Although considerable progress has been made in the work during the 

 past year, it is not sufficiently advanced for publication, and the Com- 

 mittee consider it advisable to postpone its discussion until more observa- 

 tions shall have been made and more information obtained. They re- 

 quest, however, if it be the pleasure of the Association, that they be 

 reappointed, and that the grant hitherto placed at their disposal, but not 

 drawn upon during the past year, be again renewed and increased to 

 20Z., since they anticipate a considerable amount of clerical assistance 

 will be required to help them in collating the observations already made 

 and which will be made during the ensuing year. 



In view of the more extended basis of their researches the Committee 

 consider a slight modification in their designation desirable, and recom- 

 mend that in future the word ' Facial ' be omitted. Such an alteration 

 in name will better express the object of the Committee, namely, that of 

 defining the characteristics of the Races and principal Crosses in the 

 British Isles, and obtaining photographs illustrative of their features with 

 a view to their publication. 



