CRANIA FROM THE MOUNDS OF FLORIDA. 433 



child-like features which can be detected in the adult skull are the relatively large 

 bi-tuberal diameter ; the frontal hone as it enters into the composition of the tem- 

 poral fossa remaining convex ; the frontal eminence determining the curve of the 

 forehead rather than the region of the interfrontal suture ; the relatively large, flat 

 nasal bones ; the absence of the premaxillary crest and lack of union between the 

 projection of each premaxilla (the union of these projections usually constituting in 

 the adult the " anterior nasal spine ") ; the occipital bone between the opisthion and 

 the inion remaining flat, or nearly so, instead of becoming convex ; the alisphenoido- 

 frontal suture remaining patent; the great height of the orbital roof adjacent to the 

 external lateral process ; the persistence of the interfrontal suture ; the choana? 

 remaining oval and small ; the pterygoid fossa? being deep and narrow ; the retention 

 of a straight, laminose middle turbinal ; the spinous process of the sphenoid bone 

 not overlapping the sphenoido-tympanic fissure or suture ; the closure of the foramen 

 lacerum medium ; the shape of the malar bone ; and the downward inclination of 

 the outer portion of the orbital arch. 



It would be an error to assume that all infantile characters are capable of 

 persisting. The following changes are invariable : the development of the periph- 

 eral parts of the ecto-petrosal ; the extension backward and downward of the post- 

 squamosal part of the temporal bone ; the increase in the face height pari passu 

 with development of the teeth ; and the union between the maxilla and the ptery- 

 goid process for a distance nearly the entire length of the pterygoid. Other charac- 

 ters are peculiar to the immature skull, especially that of the new-born child. 

 Among these may be mentioned the tubercle on the posterior surface of the frontal 

 process of the malar bone in the position of the malo-alisphenoidal suture, and the 

 horizontal stria? on the anterior surface of the frontal bone above the orbit. 



Excellent examples of pa?domorphism in adult skulls are met with in the 

 Esquimaux, in natives of the Sandwich Islands and in many North American Indians. 

 A remarkable pa?domorphic skull, unfortunately without locality, is seen in the 

 Academy's collection. The parietals exhibit the proportions of the child at term. 

 The sconce is remarkably changed in texture as also are the malar bones. But it 

 is impossible to name all the pa?domorphic characters. I believe they should form 

 a part of the description of every specimen. 



(14). The texture of tlie skull. The skulls of the Moore series were very 

 brittle. In one specimen (No. 1,783) the outer layer of the flat bones was broken 

 in places in the diploe. Fine sand had filled the brain cases. Even after careful 

 cleaning the sand continued to come away in small quantities as the skull became 

 thoroughly dried. Most of the fragments from superficial burials were fairly 

 stuffed with the contorted roots of the palmetto, every foramen and fissure being- 

 used for transit of these vigorous outgrowths. Even in the specimens from the 

 deeper burials, which have been here used, peculiarities of texture are seen (notably 

 in Nos. 1.784, 1,781, 1,783) which are due to radicles lying close to the bones. 



It is of some value in studying crania, such as those found in the Morton col- 

 lection, to determine the differences in the texture of the bones, the result of the 



