N(). 33. — 1886.] THE VEDD-Ls OF CEYLON. 



487 



explanation which, considering the manifold unfavourable 

 conditions under which the tribe live, may at least in this 

 sweeping sense be open to question. 



Real microcephaly in the pathological sense is found 

 among the tribes of India. One of the most noticeable 

 examples we know was communicated to the Berlin 

 Anthropoligal Society by Dr. J. Wilson.* It concerns a sect of 

 Fakirs, who administer the service in the temple of Shadowla, 

 in the Punjab, and who belong to the Suni Muhammadans ; 

 on account of their abnormal heads they were called Chuas or 

 Ghuhas (" rat-heads "). Of one of these Mr. Wilson has given 

 us some measurements, which, though not showing exactly 

 how they were taken, at any rate indicate much smaller 

 proportions than are to be found among the Veddas. Accord- 

 ing to him, with one male Chua : — 



The diagonal circumference of 



the head (measured before the mm. 

 ears, across occiput) ... 19 inches = 482 



The horizontal circumference 

 (across occiput, ears, and fron- 

 tal cavity) ... ... 17 inches = 431 



The vertical circumference (right 

 across from one ear opening to 

 the other) ... ... 8 inches = 203 



If we compare these figures with those of the Veddas 



the difference will instantly be clear. With the Chua the 



size diagonally amounts to less than the size horizontally of 



the Vedda skull No. 1, although the latter is not measured 



across the frontal cavities, but above them, and of course 



without any covering of flesh. Although Dr. Johnston 



asserts the impotence of these people, the sect has still, since 



the 16th century, continued to perpetuate itself in both sexes, 



and at some periods so vigorously that their number in the 



latter half of the 17th century reached a hundred heads. The 



temple is secretly visited by women, who, because of their 



* Zeitschrift fur Ethnologie. 1879. bd. XL Verhandl. der Anthropol. 

 Gesellsch., s. 237. 1880, bd. XIL, Verhand., s. 12. 



