28-1 OBSERVATIONS OK CRANIA 



The great difference in the position and extent of this flattening, as seen in 

 these two peoples, is believed to have been caused by the character of the 

 board on which the baby was strapped, and possibly it may also have been 

 influenced by the length of time during which the child was so confined. 

 A solid board, to which a child is strapped, neck and heels, affords but little 

 room, for growth or expansion in any part of the body with which it comes 

 in contact, while on the contrary a frame-work of twigs,* such as is some- 

 times used, even now, by the squaws, as a bottom to their cradles, fur- 

 nishes just as little resistance to the growth of the child. In the one case 

 the back of the head, pressing upon a hard, inelastic substance, is absolutely 

 prevented from attaining its full development in that particular direction, 

 while in the other, its growth is more or less interfered with, it is true, though 

 to nothing like the same extent. Both of these forms of cradle are to be 

 found to-day among the Indians of Arizona and the California coast, the 

 former being in general use near military posts and in other quarters where 

 planks or boards suitable for the purpose can be easily obtained. Among 

 the wild Indians, however, or those situated at some distance from the white 

 settlements, and beyond their influence, the latter or aboriginal form is still 

 preserved! in much the same shape in which it probably existed among the 

 people whose crania I am now considering. Separating these crania 

 according to the islands from which they were obtained, this process or 

 custom does not seem to have been confined to any one ' of them in par- 

 ticular. The dolichocephali of Santa Catalina practised it as extensively 

 as the orthocephali and brachycephali of Santa Cruz, though among neither 

 was the deformation so general or so great as among the Moundbuilders 

 and Peruvians. 



Thus far my observations have been confined to the calvaria alone, 

 and the measurements are believed to be sufficient to give a correct idea 

 of their outlines and dimensions, with some of their individual peculiari- 

 ties. The facial measurements are now to be considered! ; and as they are 

 regarded as of much importance in indicating racial characters, I have pre- 



* A Pali Ute cradle now in the Peabody Museum, No. 12112. 

 t Dr. E. Palmer is authority for this statement. 



t These and other measurements of the crania in the Peabody Museum were taken by Miss Jennie 

 Smith, assistant. 



