H. D. Smith 261 
remaining 629 crania in the collection for further examples of the persistence 
of the synchondrosis condylo-squamosa with the following results : — 
Specimens 
Examined 
Synchondrosis 
Obliterated 
Fissure 15 mm. 
long or more 
Less than 
15 mm. 
Percentage showing 
Synchondrosis 
Condylo-squamosa 
608 adult 
21 young 
551 
6 
8 
3 
49 
12 
9-3 
71-4 
The cranium shown in Plate IV. A is that of a child of about 5 years of age 
which shows the whole extent of the synchondrosis condylo-squamosa from the 
masto-occipital suture to the foramen magnum on both sides. This is one of 
the Wood-Jones collection of Nubian specimens of Roman date obtained from 
cemetery 14. The condition of the occipital here was noticed by Dr Deny, and 
the specimen has been kindly lent for the purposes of this paper. 
In addition to the Plates already mentioned is included one (Plate VI.) 
illustrating the development of the human occipital before and after birth, from a 
series in the Anatomical Museum of University College. The age of these 
specimens is estimated as follows, (a) Foetus of about five months. (6) At 
birth, (c) Child of about 1 year. (d) About three years, (e) About 5 years. 
The condition of these specimens would indicate that the obliteration of the 
synchondrosis condylo-squamosa begins during the third or fourth year of life 
(Zaaijer, pp. 199 — 202), but in conclusion it would appear that there is a 
greater range of variation in the age at which the fusion takes place than is 
generally stated, and in certain cases the synostosis is not completed even in the 
adult. 
