1913-14.] The Place in Nature of the Tasmanian Aboriginal. 167 
instance the distance of the minimum or maximum parallel from the line 
of average measurement is supposed to represent 100 per cent. 
The variation index for the object to be compared is now set at its 
correct distance from the average line on the plus or minus side. Connect 
these several points together, and a graph is at once constructed which, if 
Greatest 
Breadth. 
Maximum Range of Variation— 141 
Average Value 
—135 
Minimum Range of Variation.— 129 
Cephalic 
Index. 
83 
76 
70 
0 
100 %. 
Skull to be compared with 
TYPE GROUP. 
1. Subtract 126 from 135 = 
1. Subtract 129 from 135 = 
2. Subtract 64 from 76 = 
2. Subtract 70 from 76 = 
9 x 100 
6 
12 x 100 
6 
150. 
200 . 
Fig. 3. — To illustrate Mollison’s Yariation Index. 
it lies within the parallels, is proof that the compared stock is of the same 
race as the original group. If it be outside, then the compared object and 
the original group are not of the same species. A glance at the figure 
referred to (fig. 3) will illustrate the whole method of working Mollison’s 
variation index, and will also demonstrate the fact that the suppositious 
skull to be compared with the crania of the standard group or type is of a 
different race. Mollison’s original paper contains some highly instructive 
examples of the working of this index. Amongst other things he was 
