295 



gotes on some gbttettt gtiiwj §Mk m 

 tin Wttatfctt lltuscunt, §coijCS. 



By J. G. Gaeson, M.D., F.Z.S., Vice-Pres. Anthrop. Inst., London, Hon. 

 Corresponding Mem. Soc. Anthrop., Paris. 



*£HE skulls from various parts of Wiltshire which I have had 

 the opportunity of examining through the kindness of Mr. 

 Wm. Cunnington are those of five adult males and one female. In 

 general form they are long and narrow as compared to the mean 

 average form of the skull in the human race, with two exceptions, 

 namely, that from Overton, and one of those found at Oldbury Hill. 

 The mean average proportion which the breadth of the human skull 

 bears to its length is as 77 to 100. Investigation has proved that 

 in some races the proportion is less than this, whilst in others it is 

 greater. The general form of the skull is, therefore, an important 

 feature in determining the physical characters of a race, and com- 

 paring races one with another. The relative proportion of breadth 

 to length constitutes what is called the cephalic index. Skulls which 

 range from 65 to 70 are of a long narrow form, and are consequently 

 called hyperdolichocephalic. When the index is between 70 and 75 

 the skulls are termed dolichocephalic. Skulls with a cephalic index 

 varying from 75 to 80 are considered to occupy a mean position in 

 the human race, in respect of form, and to these the name mesati- 

 cephalic is applied. The next group contains skulls with indices 

 from 80 to 85, and is known as the brachycephalic. Beyond this is 

 the hyperbrachyeephalic, the roundest skulls, with indices from 85 

 to 90. 1 The average forms of the present existing race in Britain 



1 They may be thus tabulated : — 



Gbotjp. Indices. 



Hyperdolichocephalic from 65 to 70 



Dolichocephalic „ 70 „ 75 



Mesaticephalic » 75 „ 80 



Brachycephalic „ 80 „ 85 



Hyperbrachy cephalic „ 85 „ 90 



X % 



