Eskimo Osteology c49 



The Bregma-Lambda Chord 



This cranial chord fluctuated between a maximum of '114-5 mm. and a 

 minimum of 104 mm. in the male skulls, with an average of 108 ■ 7 mm. In the 

 female series the range of variation was from 118 mm. to 94 mm. with an average 

 of 104-4 mm. 



This chord thus consistently followed the glabella-bregma chord, in being 

 well below the European average of 112 mm. (as given by Biichner)(') and also 

 lower than the averages for aboriginal Australian and Tasmanian crania (114- 7' 

 and 113 mm.) as calculated by the same observer. These Eskimo crania may 

 likewise be compared with the average for the Neanderthal type of skull (112 

 mm.)(") and with Pithecanthropus (93 mm.)("). 



The Bregma-Inion Chord - 



So far as the writer can ascertain, no previous measurements of this chord! 

 appear to have been made. He has, however, recorded his results as a basis for 

 comparison with other racial types in the future. It was found to vary from 

 158-5 mm. to 144 mm. in the male crania, with an average of 151-8 mm. and 

 from 152 mm. to 127 mm. in the female skulls with an average of 141 - 7 min. It 

 was therefore evident that the usual racial range of variation manifested itself 

 in regard to the measurements of this chord. 



The Lambda-Inion Chord 



This chord varied between 80 mm. and 63 mm. in the male crania with an 

 average of 69 • 4; and from 75 mm. to 55 mm. in the female series, with an average 

 of 62. The results for the males were well above the European average of 63 

 mm., as given by Buchner,(') and markedly above the averages for aboriginal 

 Australian and Tasmanian crania as given by the same observer (55-2 and 55-5 

 mm.). The average for "the Neanderthal type of skull is 54 mm.(^') This chord 

 in Pithecanthropus measured 42 mm.('') 



The Horizontal Cranial Circumference 



This was measured over the glabella and the occipital point, as recommended 

 by Turner.(^*) It fluctuated between 551 and 505 mm. in the male crania, with 

 an average of 524 mm.; and from 519 to 461 mm. in the female series, with an 

 average of 492 mm. 



The average for the male skulls practically accorded with that (525 mm.) 

 for the average European type of skull, also with the measurements for the male 

 and female Eskimo crania 528 and 500 mm. in the R.C.S. Museum,(") and even 

 with the corresponding dimensions of two low grade Melanesian skulls (520 mm. 

 and 534 mm.),(^) As previously stated by the writer,(^) there is a very shght 

 inter-racial range of variation in this cranial measurement, even between the 

 highest and lowest types of modern man, and on that account it would appear 

 to lack significance. On tjie other hand, however, it emphasises the necessity for 

 an expansion of the cranial roof in the higher races of mankind, in order to pro- 

 vide more accommodation for its cerebral contents that would prove commen- 

 surate with the more elaborate degree of evolution of the brain in these racial 

 groups. 



50844^ 



