HUMAN CRANIA. 
INTRODUCTION. 
In the description of these crania I have to a large extent adopted the terms and cranio- 
metrical methods introduced by the late M. Paul Broca, which have contributed so much 
to give exactness to craniological research. It is not necessary that I should enter here 
into any detailed explanation of the meaning of the terms which he has proposed with so 
much advantage. For not only are they amply defined in his own writings, more 
especially in his well-known . Instructions Craniologiques et Craniometriques, 1 but a 
sufficient explanation of them is furnished to all English readers in the translation of Dr. 
Topinard’s Anthropologie, 2 and in Prof. Flower’s Catalogue of the Human Crania 
in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. 3 
It will, however, be advisable to say a few words about some of the craniometrical 
methods which I have employed. For unfortunately there are in use by craniologists so 
many different ways of measuring even the principal dimensions of the skull, that it 
becomes necessary for each investigator to preface his description by stating the method 
that he has himself pursued. 
As it is important in all craniological enquiries to obtain an average from as large a 
number of specimens as possible, I have not restricted myself to the examination and 
mensuration of the skulls collected during the voyage of the Challenger ; but have, 
whenever practicable, studied along with them skulls from the same localities, preserved 
either in the Edinburgh University Anatomical Museum or in other collections in this city. 
This Report has therefore become an essay on the craniology of certain Races of Men. 
The measurements have been made with instruments supplied by M. Mathieu of 
Paris. They are recorded in millimetres. In calculating the indices when the fraction 
was below ‘5 I have not taken it into account. When '5 or above *5, 1 have either stated 
it or given the benefit of the fraction to the preceding whole number. 
In each table of measurements I have recorded the length both from the most 
projecting mid-occipital point to the ophryon, and from the mid-occipital point to the 
most prominent part of the glabella. I have not thought it necessary specially to record 
1 Paris, 1875. 
2 Translated by Dr. R. T. H. Bartley. Library of Contemporary Science, London, 1878. 
3 London, 1879. 
