288 Proceedings of Poycd Society of Edinburgh. [sess. 
Britain, Ireland, France, as well as many other parts of the 
Continent, had a swarthy complexion, with dark hair and eyes, like 
so many people still inhabiting the more secluded parts of these 
localities. 
(2) The incoming brachycephali were taller than the dolicho- 
cephali already in possession of the country, a statement which 
is proved by actual measurements of skeletons ( average height 5 feet 
8 inches). Although they have been described by many modern 
writers as “light in hair and complexion” ( British Barrows , p. 
636), there does not appear to be any archaeological evidence to 
support the assertion. The mistake seems to have arisen from 
inadvertently applying to the Bronze Age brachycephali qualities 
which were undoubtedly applicable at a later period to the Celts 
of history. The former buried their dead in short cists and round 
barrows, and carried with them a knowledge of bronze. While 
these two early races (the dolichocephali and brachycephali) 
were living together, apparently in harmony, the custom of 
disposing of the dead by cremation spread over the land — a 
custom which was introduced from the Continent, and had its 
origin probably in the strong religious elements of the time, as it 
was practised by both. 
(3) At a considerably later period, but not many centuries prior 
to the occupation of Britain by the Romans, there was another 
Continental wave of immigrants, generally regarded as an offshoot 
of the “ Glalli ” of classical authors, and probably the Belgae of 
Csesar, who introduced the industrial elements of the civilisation 
known in this country as “Late Celtic.” These newcomers 
differed radically from the former so-called Celtic invaders in 
having dolichocephalic heads — a statement which is supported 
by archaeological evidence, as, for example, a skull found in a 
characteristic late Celtic tumulus at Arras, Yorkshire, was described 
by Dr Thurnam as having a cephalic index of 7 3 *7. They were 
a branch of the Celts of history, whose very name at one time -was 
a terror in Europe, and by classical writers they are described as 
very tall and fierce-looking, with fair hair, blond complexion, and 
blue eyes. 
(4) The next and last of the great racial elements which entered 
into the ethnic composition of the British people of to-day were 
