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Proceedings of the Royal Society 
that the Mundurucus should differ widely from their comparatively 
near neighbours, the Macas tribes, in the preparation of the head, 
and yet agree with the Bornean families. The Mundurucfi does 
not attempt to remove the bones, or to reduce the natural size of 
the head. His effort is to preserve the natural likeness and the 
usual ornamentation. This is shown in the photograph on the 
table. 
As regards the Ecuador specimens, it is impossible as yet to 
account for the fact, that we have so little information as to their 
meaning and the modes of preparing them, while so much has been 
recorded touching the several habits and industrial art of the tribes 
among whom they occur. In the reference to the Macas head, by 
Sir John Lubbock, the following passage occurs : — “ The process of 
preparation, according to the account given me by Mr Buckley, 
is very simple. The head is removed, and, after being boiled 
for some time with an infusion of herbs, the bones, &c., are 
removed through the neck. Heated stones are then put into the 
hollow, and as they cool are continually replaced by others ; the 
heat thus applied dries and contracts the skin. It will be seen that 
Mr Buckley’s account confirms that of M. Barriero. A string is 
then run through the head, which is suspended in the hut, and 
solemnly abused by the owner, who is answered by the priest 
speaking for the head, after which the mouth is sewn up to prevent 
any chance of reply.” But Sir John leaves out an important 
sentence in M. Barriero’s account, who says : — u This is how I 
understood the matter ; however, I may not have well understood 
the process.” This theory of desiccation by the application of 
heated stones is not satisfactory. It is more likely the explanation 
will be found in connection with “ the boiling for some time with 
a ninfusion of herbs.” Rapid shrinkage might, perhaps, be thus 
obtained equal all over, and without folding, especially if accom- 
panied by quick drying. And I may put a question in this con- 
nection which, however, I feel wholly unqualified to answer. Does 
what we know of the drying powers of the acid in certain vegetable 
oils, and of the action of tannic acid on skin, warrant a guess that 
there may be properties in the herbs used in these preparations 
which, being set free by boiling, might produce the result ? The 
finger and thumb marks already referred to might be accounted for 
