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The science of craniology recognizes three, and sometimes four, kinds of skulls, determined by the ratio of length to the breadth; that is, the length of any skull being represented by 100, the “cephalic index” is the proportion of this 100 covered by the breadth. Skulls with a cephalic index between 74 and 78 are said to be mesocephalic, because this is the average of mankind. If the index is above 78, they are said to be brachycephalic; if below 74, they are dolichocephalic, or long-headed. The dolichocephalic, according to Prof. Retzius, are found in the eastern part of this continent, from Labrador through the Antilles to Paraguay. The brachycephali, or short heads, are found in the West, from Behring’s Strait, through Oregon and California, Mexico, Central America and Chili, to Terra del Fuego. It must be remembered that the terms “brachycephalic” and “dolichocephalic” are not absolute, but only relative as to length and breadth, for a dolichocephalic cranium may be actually shorter than a brachycephalic one.

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