1871.] 131 [Sceva. 



of the ramus, its crown reaching nearly to the level of the sigmoid 

 notch, between the condyle and coronoid process. 



I obtained these Hindoo skulls while in Calcutta, but as I did not 

 observe this peculiarity of their dentition until I was preparing to 

 leave, I was unable to obtain any information concerning them, 

 except that they were found in some burial place where the bodies 

 had been partially exposed by jackals. 



I desire to call attention to two Hindoo skulls (numbered 141 and 

 126) from the Society's collection, in one of which the third molars 

 are absent on both sides. In the other the third molar is wanting 

 on the right side, but on the left there is a small tooth with a short, 

 conical root, showing no tendency to division, and being less in diam- 

 eter than that of the central incisor. 



I have been informed by Dr. J. B. S. Jackson that the Museum 

 of the Boston Society for Medical Improvement contains four 

 Hindoo skulls, in two of which the third molars are wanting. 



From the examinations which I have been able to make, I have 

 thought that these cases are confined chiefly to one caste, or to some 

 particular class of people inhabiting the lower part of Bengal. 



I have examined the dentition of about four hundred European 

 skulls, and I believe the cases where the third molars are wanting, 

 either wholly, or in part, are less than one per cent., while in the 

 class of people to which these East Indian skulls belong, they ap- 

 peared to be absent in about fifteen per cent. 



Although this last mentioned proportion could not be found in the 

 inhabitants of India generally, and might — owing to the small num- 

 ber of skulls now examined — exceed slightly that of any particular 

 class, yet I wish to call attention to the subject that it may be further 

 investigated by any one having an opportunity for doing so. 



Mr. W. T. Brigham (replying to an inquiry made by Mr. 

 Sceva) said that when he visited India a few years ago, he 

 had heard it reported that the mongous was able to resist the 

 effects of the poison of the cobra by eating some kind of 

 plant, but the accounts given were so various that nothing 

 trustworthy could be obtained. He afterwards inquired of 

 scientific men residing in the country concerning the report, 

 and was told that they had no reason for believing it. 



Mr. Sceva thought the mistakes which had been so often 



