472 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [Vol. IX. 



indices are 53*1, 57*7, 50. In spite of this the Vedda nose 

 at its epiphysis is flatter and more depressed, the Sinhalese 

 and Tamil protuberant, the Tamil in fact more than the 

 Sinhalese. The impression of greater breadth in the root 

 of the nose with the Sinhalese is only an illusion, and caused 

 by the retreating of the nasal bone into the plane of the 

 frontal processes of the upper jaw, and hence the whole space 

 between the corners of the eyes is natter and more even. In 

 reality, not only the root of the nose but the entire bony 

 structure of the nose of the Vedda is narrower than in that 

 of the other skulls. With regard to this I may once more 

 remark that the nasal indices taken in this way from the 

 relation of the breadth of the aperture to the height of the 

 whole nose, gives no idea of the protuberant parts of the nose. 

 As to the aperture itself, in the case of the Vedda it corres- 

 ponds somewhat to the European type — is pear-shaped : with 

 the other two, especially the Sinhalese, rather triangular. 



An exhibition of the Vedda, Sinhalese, and Tamil palates 

 may render a further comparison of the linear boundaries 

 possible.* 



I begin here also with the figures : — 



Length. Breadth. , 



Index. 



mm. mm. 

 Vedda .. 48 ... 36 ... 75*0 



Sinhalese ... 53 .;. 40 ... 75-4 

 Tamil ... 49 ... 43 ... 87*7 



Consequently the palates of the Vedda and of the Sinha- 

 lese are leptostaphyline, those of the Tamil brachystaphyline. 

 The last varies most in form ; its great breadth and shortness 

 stand in correct relation to the form of the skull. Next to 

 this, not in the index, but in the shape of the tooth-curve, 

 comes the Vedda palate, the chief distinctive feature of which 

 is that the tooth-curve towards the back draws partly 

 together, and has very nearly the outline of a horse-shoe. 

 Wholly different from the Tamil, and also somewhat differing 



* Drawings not reproduced — Hon. Sec. 



