3 44 
DE. J. CLELAND ON THE VARIATIONS OF THE HUMAN SKULL. 
of the frontal depth, since the absolute excess of height produced by sinking of the base 
then forms a greater proportion of the whole frontal depth. Thus in the skull of the 
Idiot, 94, the greatest proportion in the whole collection is found, and in the Carib, 88, 
it is nearly as great. 
Length (column 71). — As in the estimation of height, so in that of length, it seems 
advisable to make use of a somewhat different measurement from that usually adopted ; 
for it is scarcely accurate to compare, as is generally done, diameters which do not pass 
between corresponding points, and which have nothing necessarily in common except 
that they happen in differently shaped skulls to be the points furthest asunder. The 
measurement of length in the present Memoir has therefore been made from the mid- 
occipital point to the fronto-nasal suture, the midoccipital point being usually the most 
prominent part of the back of the head, and the fronto-nasal suture being chosen in 
preference to the glabellar prominence, because the glabellar prominence is exceedingly 
variable, and its development is of no importance as regards the general shape of the 
skull. 
Proportions of height and breadth to length (columns 73 & 7G). — By assorting the 
skulls of different nations according to the proportion which the height bears to the 
length, a highly natural arrangement results, those skulls being brought together for the 
most part which are similar in general form. Thus the Peruvian, Hindoo, and Kanaka 
skulls, which were associated in respect of the comparative distance of different points of 
the arch from the base, are again placed together, and a just and well-marked distinction 
is made between the Kafir and Negro, the French and German, and the Scotch and Irish. 
When the same groups of skulls are arranged according to the proportion of breadth to 
length, the result appears to be less satisfactory. 
Proportion of Height to Len 
gtk. 
Proportion of Breadth to Len 
gth. 
Average. 
Extremes. 
Average. 
Extremes. 
2 Peruvian 
85 
83 
1 Peruvian 
98 
1 
84 
88 
8 German 
86 
3 Hindoo 
83 
82 
1 Chinese 
92 
84 
83 
1 Maori 
81 
9 French 
82 
80 
2 Kanaka 
78 
77 
77 
l S 
90 
1 Chinese 
' 8 
3 Plindoo 
81 
79 
84 
5 Greek 
75 
7 Scotch 
80 
77 
82 
85 
4 Kafir 
76 
74 
5 Greek 
80 
77 
76 
7 Scotch 
81 
72 
1 Maori 
89 
76 
78 
68 
84 
2 Kanaka 
77 
n 
9 French 
75 
2 Esquimaux 
7 7 
78 
75 
2 Esquimaus 
74 
/ 4 
l 9 
75 
71 
9 Irish 
77 
74 
7 Negro 
74 
82 
78 
73 
4 Kafir 
73 
70 
2 Australian 
73 
78 
74 
69 
76 
7 Negro 
72 
68 
8 German 
72 
7o 
2 Australian 
71 
71 
9 Irish 
71 
DO 
72 
75 
