ARCHMOLOGICAL AND ETHNOLOGICAL RESEARCHES IN CRETE. 251 
mean length equal to 303 mm. only. That these data are for female 
bones must not be forgotten. However, Mr. Hawes, on the other 
hand, has commented with emphasis” on the local reduction of stature 
manifested in the little island of Gavados (off the coast of Sphakia) ; in 
the neolithic period (and even later), similar agencies may have been at 
work in the neighbourhood of Palaikastro. At the same time, the 
occurrence of these neolithic individuals with pygmy stature is worthy 
of very special notice, and the interpretation here preferred is not 
submitted as in any way final. 
(6) Tue ‘Squartine’ Facet. 
The tibie from Agios Nikolaos possess yet another interesting 
character, viz., the presence in six instances (all that were available for 
the observation in question) of the facet at the lower end of the bone 
known as the ‘ squatting ’ facet. This facet is undoubtedly associated 
Fia. 9.—The ‘ squatting facet ’ (No. 1) shown in each of six tibie of neolithic 
antiquity : from a rock-shelter at Agios Nikolaos near Palaikastro (x 4). 
with the habitual assumption of the attitude thus indicated, but the 
chief point of interest is the constancy with which the facet appears 
in these neolithic Cretan bones. ‘Tracings of the parts of the bones in 
question are appended (fig. 9). 
B.—The Tibie and Platycnemia. 
A large number of fragmentary tibiz (shin-bones) was available for 
the determination of the occurrence and frequency of the flattened 
variety described as ‘ platyenemic.’ It will be fair to consider the 
vast majority of the platyenemic bones as exhibiting the ‘ posterior 
tibial * variety of the conformation. For in my notebooks I find but 
one or two specially mentioned as exhibiting the ‘soleal’ type of 
platycnemia. 
(i) THe Marertat. 
One hundred and twenty-nine ancient bones were measured at 
Palaikastro and its neighbourhood. For the purpose of comparison it 
was necessary to subdivide them first into two groups according to their 
15 Brit. Assoc, Reports, Sheffield, 1910, p. 234. 
