olG DISCOVERT OF INDIAN EEMAINS, COUNTY NORFOLK. 



vailing type, so far as my present experience extends, presents a very 

 marked predominance of the longitudinal over the parietal and vertical 

 diameter : while, even in the exceptional cases, the brachycephalic 

 characteristics fall far short of those so markedly distinguishing the 

 ancient crania, the distinctive features of which some observers have 

 affirmed them to exhibit. In point of archaeological evidence of an- 

 cient occupation, moreover, our northern sepulchral disclosures have 

 hitherto revealed little that is calculated to add to our definite know- 

 ledge of the past, although the traces of ancient metallurgic arts sug- 

 gest the probability of such evidence being found. The discovery 

 of distinct proofs of the ancient extension of the race of the 

 mound-builders into these northern and eastern regions, would fur- 

 nish an addition of no slight importance to our materials for the 

 primeval history of the Great Lake districts embracing Canada "West. 



Such ancient osteologieal remains, of whatever type, are likely to 

 be in a very fragile state, and will require much care in their removal. 

 As it is not to be doubted that some are to be found among the mem- 

 bers of the Institute, to whom investigations of this nature will present 

 a just object of careful and persevering research, it may not be useless 

 to add a (ew hints for collecting and preserving such ancient remains. 

 It is not to be overlooked that, to those who have made such the sub- 

 ject of special study, the entire skeleton frequently possesses features 

 of interest and value, as evidence of peculiar distinctions of race, or as 

 traces of habits and conditions of life. It is manifestly, however, only 

 under very rare and peculiar circumstances, as in that of the Norfolk 

 County Grave described above, that it can be expedient to attempt 

 the preservation of the whole of the skeleton ; but as the determina- 

 tion of the sex has a very marked bearing on the relative form and 

 proportions of the skull, the pelvis may be considered as, next to it, 

 the most important part to be secured or specially observed. 



In reference to crania, it must be borne in remembrance that it is 

 desirable to possess the whole of the bones of the head and face, in- 

 cluding the lower jaw and the teeth. The slender and fragile bones 

 of the nose are of special importance, and when remaining in their 

 place should be carefully protected from injury. In all cases they are 

 highly characteristic, and in none more so than in the races of Ameri- 

 can Indians, whose strongly marked profiles derive much of their 

 character from the prominence and peculiar form of the nose. It is 

 also to be observed in the case of remains found under circumstauces 

 indicative of great antiquity, and consequently possessing peculiar 

 value for the purpose which the Ethnologist has in view, that though 

 the bones may be wholly disjointed and even fractured, if the whole, 



