ABRAHAM—On a Collection of Crania. 89 
of the textile art; in parts of the interior, however, the natives weave 
fine and soft cloth out of certain kinds of grass fibre. 
The two skull-eaps are of grass, and come from Loanga and Sierra 
Leone respectively. 
The cowrie belts are from Old Calabar and from Bonny. The 
larger is of the value equivalent to about sixpence in our money ; but 
it would purchase a large amount of yams and other food. 
The hair-pin is carved out of a hippopotamus tooth, and comes 
from Cape Lopez, at the mouth of the Gaboon. The belles of that 
country complete their coiffure by sticking one of these pins into the 
front of the hair, according to the figure given in Du Chaillu’s book, 
The ivory armlet was brought from ‘‘ Grand Cess,” and is one of 
those worn by Krumen. Mr. Winwood Reade, in his work on 
‘Savage Africa,” states that the Krumen wear bracelets of ivory as a 
sign that they have visited the Cameroons or the Gaboon country. 
In other parts of Africa distinguished ladies sometimes wear similar 
armlets. Thomas A. Greer Forbes, in his work on ‘‘ Africa,’’ mentions 
that the principal wife of a powerful Makololo chief wore a large 
ivory ring on the arm above each elbow—of course in addition to 
about a dozen brass or copper bangles on the forearm. I believe that 
this African fashion is now becoming prevalent in other countries. 
The wooden figure on the table is an idol or ‘“‘ Juju,” which was 
purchased at Loanga. It may be supposed that it was prayed to in- 
efficaciously, and therefore sold by its worshippers. From its white 
colour, it probably represents an evil spirit ; for although in European 
countries the incarnation of wickedness is commonly considered to 
assume a black personality, among the black races he is generally 
believed to be white. As regards the sex of this deity, upon anato- 
mical grounds, 1 am not quite certain whether it is intended to be 
male orfemale. Itis probably the latter; and we know that some of the 
Africans consider their evil spirits sometimes to be of the gentler sex. 
The photographs are of females of Gambia. The central figure has 
arrived at full maturity, and the characteristic pendulous mamme of 
the negro mother are well seen in her case. Another point of anato- 
mical interest shown in the photograph is her large and protrudent 
umbilicus. Dr. Allan found similar formations in from 5 to 10 per 
cent. of the natives of the South-west coast, and in many cases they 
are veritable umbilical herniz. I recollect to have observed many 
large umbilici among the negro children of Jamaica. 
When we remember that Dr. Allan got together this collection 
without very great difficulty, and within a few months, it is a matter 
for wonder and regret that his example is not more often followed, 
and that the alumni of our colleges and schools who travel abroad do 
not more often remember the museum of their Alma Mater in the 
way Dr. Allan has done. In conclusion, I wish to state that the 
collection has been in my hands but a short time, and to express my 
regret that several circumstances have prevented me from treating it 
in as exhaustive a manner as it deserves. 
Rh. I. A. PROC., SER. Il., VOL. II,—POL, LIT. AND ANTIQ. xk 
