( 365 ) 
NOTE ON THE VEETEBEAL COLUMN OF THE BUSHMAN 
EACE OF SOUTH AFEICA. 
By E. B. Thomson, M.B., F.E.S.E., South African College. 
(Eeceived and Eead May 21, 1913.) 
The study of the relative position of man in nature, and of the 
different races of mankind to each other according to their bodily 
structure, civilization, and culture, is one in common with all other 
sciences, which call for further investigation and accumQlation of data. 
Especially is this true of those races which are believed to occupy a low 
morphological position, such as the Bushman race of South Africa. 
During last year, 1913, Miss Winifred Tucker, B.A., in course of an 
anthropological survey in the Eichtersveld procured three skeletons, and 
kindly presented these to the Anatomical Department of the South African 
College, forming the nucleus of an osteological museum. 
Two of the skeletons (numbered S.A.C. 1 female, and S.A.C. 2 male), 
are almost complete and in excellent preservation. They are traditionally 
Bushman skeletons, and were found curled round with the hands lying 
close to the chin, and with the knees drawn up ; otherwise there was no 
special orientation to be observed in the mode of burial. From all the 
indications, Miss Tucker was of opinion that they were Hottentot graves, 
but as the Hottentots still bury their dead in the outright position, they 
were quite indignant when asked if they knew of no other way. 
The third skeleton (numbered S.A.C. 3 male) was found exposed near 
the mouth of the Orange Eiver. The bones are consequently bleached 
a.nd fragile, a few of the bones having partly crumbled away. 
The researches of Mr. Shrubsall " have clearly shown that the Bushman 
race of South Africa could be divided into two distinct classes — the 
Strandlooper and Inland Bushman, the Strandlooper being a more homo- 
geneous group than the Inland Bushman, which would appear to be 
* Shrubsall, " Annals of South African Museum," vol. 5. 
