Hrdlicka revisited (external auditory canal exostoses)

To determine possible matter of opinion as to the existence of exostoses in the outer ear canals of Indian skulls from Dakota as an explanation for the marked difference in incidence of these tumors found by Hrdlicka and by us in previous studies, we have examined skeletal specimens reportedly seen by Hrdlicka, independently, and compared his and our results. The Smithsonian‐Mobridge skulls both in Hrdlicka's and our opinion show definitely more exostoses than are found in other South Dakota Indian skeletal material we have examined. Our results here suggest a 5–6% difference attributable to opinion of the examiner. Reasons for the dissimilarity in frequency of exostoses between the Smithsonian‐Mobridge skulls and other Dakota Indian skeletal collections are advanced.