THE EVOLUTION OF THE EYEBROW REGION OF THE FOREHEAD. 297 



found which present a torus supraorbital very similar to that present in the Neanderthal 

 and Spy crania. The skull in the University collection which shows this character in 

 the most pronounced form is figured in PI. II., fig. 20. It is from a native of New 

 South Wales (xxix. B. 1), and in general form and external configuration the eyebrow 

 region exhibits a marked resemblance to the corresponding region in the Neanderthal 

 cranium. A massive projecting bony arch, composed of the fused superciliary and supra- 

 orbital elements, extends from the glabella to the fronto-malar suture. 



Upon the right supraorbital torus of the Neanderthal cranium there is an oblique 

 furrow which extends upwards and outwards for a distance of about 12 mm. (fig. 3, s). 

 This groove is visible on the cast ; and by both Schaffhausen and Virchow it was 

 thought to be of traumatic origin. Schwalbe, however, has shown that, although not 

 continuous with, it yet lies in the line of a notch on the supraorbital margin, around 

 which the supraorbital or outer branch of the frontal nerve had no doubt turned in its 

 passage to the forehead (fig. 3, k). This naturally suggests the possibility that the groove 

 in question is not the result of a wound, but is the pathway of the nerve. Against this 

 conclusion must be reckoned the position and direction of the furrow. It courses over 

 the outer third of the torus supraorbital , and its direction is so oblique that, if continued 

 outwards, it would strike the temporal ridge about 14 mm. above the fronto-malar suture. 

 It would seem unlikely, therefore, that the supraorbital nerve or one of its branches would 

 pursue such an initial course on reaching the forehead. Still, it should be noted that in 

 the Neanderthal cranium the supraorbital notch is situated much further out than usual. 

 It interrupts the margin of the supraorbital arch much nearer its outer than its inner end 

 (viz. 27 mm. from the fronto-malar suture, and 35 mm. from the fronto-maxillary suture). 

 That this represents the notch in question there cannot be a doubt, because Schwalbe 

 has shown that on the roof of the orbit a distinct nerve-groove leads to it (fig. 6). 



I have alluded to these features in the Neanderthal cranium because we find on the 

 right side in the cranium of the New South Wales native (xxix. B. 1) a condition which 

 in some respects is similar. The supraorbital notch cuts into the supraorbital margin 

 about its mid-point, and from this two sharply defined grooves pursue a short divergent 

 course on the under aspect of the torus supraorbitalis (figs. 20 and 21, PL II.). 

 Immediately above the outer of these furrows and in a line with it is a shallow oblique 

 sulcus on the front face of the torus. This recalls the groove on the right torus of the 

 Neanderthal specimen ; but its position is different. It does not lie so far out, and it is 

 not so oblique in its direction. 



I am inclined to think that in both the Neanderthal and New South AVales crania 

 the groove in question is of the same nature, although I am satisfied that in neither case 

 was it the pathway of a nerve. I believe that it represents in both cases the line of 

 fusion between the superciliary and supraorbital elements of the torus. In the Australian 

 skull, where the groove is faintly marked, and also in the Neanderthal cranium, where it 

 is strongly marked, the condition resembles the appearance which is presented by the 

 torus in those chimpanzee crania in which the superciliary element is not completely 



