234 



SKULLS FROM CAVES IN THE VALLEY OF THE OHIO. 



It was a custom of many American nations to deposite their dead in caves. 

 The body was sometimes placed entire in these receptacles; but in other instances 

 the bones were exhumed after the decomposition of the body5 and then removed 

 to a cave as a final resting place. The two skulls figured on the annexed plates 

 have so much interest that I have thought best to insert them, although the 

 circumstances in wdiich they were found afford us no clue to their national 

 affiliation. 



PLATE LXII. 



SKULL FROM A CAVE AT GOLCONDA, IN ILLINOIS. 



Some few years ago a cave containing many human skeletons, was discovered 

 near the town of Golconda, on the Ohio river. A considerable number was trans- 

 mitted to this city ; of these one is preserved in the Academy of Natural Sciences, 

 and the other in the University of Pennsylvania. The former is figured on the 

 accompanying plate. In general configuration, especially in the frontal region, it 

 approximates to the Caucasian form, but with a small facial angle and full 

 parietal diameter. The other heads from this locality are still more like the 

 Toltecan model, and leave little doubt of their origin and their antiquity. 



MEASUREMENTS. 



Longitudinal diameter. 

 Parietal diameter, . 



6.7 inches. 

 5.4 inches. 



