206 A Study of Pygmy Crania, based on Skulls found in Egypt 
uniformity among the third dynasty crania. The orbits of four of the small 
specimens are microsemic, those of two small specimens, and the specimen of 
normal size, are mesosemic ; and, of the remaining small specimens, two have 
megasemic orbits, while the last is defective. Both the Dakka and Hesa specimens 
have mesosemic, while the Akkas have both microsemic, and the Andamanese have 
megasemic orbits. 
The nasal indices indicate no platyrrhiny in the third dynasty specimens under 
consideration. Two small specimens and the one of normal size are leptorrhine 
while the remainder are mesorrhine. The Hesa specimen is mesorrhine, and the 
Dakka specimen is markedly platyrrhine. Both Akkas also are platyrrhine while 
the Andamanese are stated to be mesorrhine. There is however in two of the 
small third dynasty specimens (E 21 and E 579) a marked rounding of the lower 
margin of the piriform aperture, which gives a somewhat negroid appearance, 
though for the most part the nasal bones are well formed, and somewhat prominent, 
and the root of the nose is not markedly broad. 
The actual weight of the crania is also not without interest, and at the bottom 
of the table of measurements will be seen the weights of the small specimens of 
the third dynasty. In comparison with other crania, however, the weight of 
individual examples is of small value by reason of variations in preservation and 
defects ; but the mean of the figures given above is 395 - 13, and this may be 
compared with the figure 491 '15, which is the mean obtained from the weights of 
36 adult female crania of normal size, of the same series, and showing the same 
general condition as regards preservation. 
Thus, though closely resembling the Akkas in point of size, the characteristic 
features of the Negro races are not present in a marked degree in any of these 
small specimens, except in Dr Derry's specimen from Dakka. This also is the only 
specimen with which any other portion of the skeleton has been preserved, and, in 
this case there is marked correspondence between the size of the cranium and that 
of the pelvis. From what is known of the relation between size of cranium and 
stature, it is, however, not idle to suppose that the occurrence of adult individuals 
of small stature was fairly common in Egypt at the period of the third dynasty, 
although from the evidence afforded by these specimens it is not possible to assert 
that all such pygmies were of "Negrillo" race. The several forms of dwarfism 
were quite familiar to the Egyptians, and the possibility that these are cases of 
dwarfism of the "infantile type" is worthy of consideration. At the same time 
the fairly perfect character of the teeth rather favours ethnic dwarfism. : 
