THE ABORIGINES OF TASMANIA. 427 



the European male, in which a mean index at or near 80 has been computed by a number 

 of observers, and the pelvis is consequently platypellic. In the Tasmanian male pelves 

 previously measured by Garson the mean index was 93 # 4 : they belonged therefore to 

 the group which I have named mesatipellic, where the brim index ranged from 90 to 95. 

 If the Brussels specimen be conjoined with these, the mean brim index would be 90'2, 

 also mesatipellic. In the Australian pelves described in my Challenger Report I 

 observed that the conjugate diameter was sometimes a little more, though at others 

 somewhat less, than the transverse. In twenty-four specimens measured by myself and 

 preceding anatomists the mean brim index 96 '6 was distinctly dolichopellic (index 95 

 to 100), in which case the width of the brim rapidly diminished near the symphysis 

 so as to produce a cuneiform inlet. 



The subpubic angle was 79°, which was exceptionally wide for a male pelvis. In 

 my Challenger Report I recorded in a powerful male Australian an angle of 70°, and 

 in another an angle of 69°, in a Bushman 72°, in a Chinaman and a Malay 76° ; in these 

 pelves the subpubic angle approximated more to that of the female than the male pelvis. 

 From time to time, therefore, a male pelvis occurs in which the subpubic angle is not 

 many degrees below the mean 85° found in the female, and is materially higher than 

 the mean 64° obtained from measuring a number of male pelves. Garson stated 

 that the subpubic angle in four Tasmanian males ranged from 55° to 67°, with a mean of 

 61°, so that the Brussels specimen was exceptional for the race as well as for the sex. 



Sacrum. — This bone consisted of five vertebrae fused together, and it had a gentle 

 curve from base to apex. The spines were ossified ; that of the 5th was bifid ; the 

 ossification of the laminae was completed. The length in a straight line was 100 mm.; 

 the greatest breadth of the base was 105 mm. The sacrum was platyhieric, the width 

 exceeding the length, and the index was 105. In three male Tasmanians measured by 

 Garson the sacral index in one was 1067, platyhieric; in two others 99, i.e. dolichohieric. 

 When my specimen is included the mean of the four pelves was 102'4, i.e. platyhieric, 

 owing to the higher index in one-half the number. In this respect the sacrum in the 

 Tasmanians differed from the Australians, in which race the breadth of the bone seldom 

 exceeded the length. The mean sacral index of six Australian males, measured by 

 myself, was 98 ; and as the index was below 100°, they belonged to the group which I 

 have named dolichohieric. 



Coccyx. — This bone consisted of only three vertebrae. The first was not ossified 

 either with the sacrum or the 2nd coccygeal, and it had the customary form. The 2nd 

 and 3rd were fused together, and the 3rd was a nodule of bone no larger than a small 

 pea. The length of the three vertebrae when articulated was 21 mm. ; the greatest 

 breadth of the 1st vertebra was 33 mm. 



TRANS. ROY. SOC. EDIN., VOL. XLVII. PART III. (NO. 16). 64 



