With respect to the size of the head, most physiologists agree that in general the extent of the faculties depends upon its largeness. Gall(f) observes that the integrant parts of the brain augment in number and development as we pass from a less perfect to a more perfect animal, till we arrive at the brain of man, who, in the internal superior, and in the superior region of the frontal bone, possesses several parts of which other animals are deprived, and by means of which he is endowed with the most eminent qualities and faculties, with powers of reasoning.(g) Magendie says that the dimensions of the brain are proportioned to those of the head; and the volume of the brain is generally in direct proportion to the capacity of the mind; and it is rarely found that a man distinguished by his mental faculties has not a large head.(h) The defective conformation of the brain is a source of idiotcy, and its disease the cause of insanity.(i)

When the head is from 21 to 22 inches in circumference, measuring nearly horizontally round the forehead and fullest part of the occipital bone; man obtains the height of intelligence; but when it is only 13 or 14 inches, there is idiotcy, or great imbecility; when from 14 to 17 inches in circumference, and about 10 to 12 from the root of the nose to the foramen occipitale, there is more or less stupidity, or more or less incapacity to fix the attention upon one object, uncertain and transitory feelings and passions, and confusion of ideas. Heads of 18 to 18 inches in circumference, though too small, may nevertheless permit a regular exercise of the faculties; but they possess a sad mediocrity of talent, a spirit of servile imitation, and an extreme deficiency in comprehending the relation between the cause and effect; a want of self-government, and often few desires. Still some qualities or faculties may be considerable, because particular organs may be greatly developed, forming a striking contrast with the mediocrity of the rest.(k) One practical utility of this discovery

(f) 2 Gall, 364; El. Blum. 67, 549.

Gall, book c. tom. ii. 364; El. Blum. 67, 549; it is even there supposed that this capacity predisposes to religion, El. Blum. 6, note 9; but perhaps that conclusion is without adequate premises.

(h) Dr. Magendie, Précis de Physiologie, vol. i. 184; El. Blum. 68.

(i) Dr. Marshall, Morbid Anatomy of the Brain by Saurey, A. D. 1815; El. Blum. 68, note (p;) in Copl. Dict. tit. Cranium, it is shown that the skulls of insane persons frequently differ from those who are sane; and post, note (p.)

(k) Gall, book c. vol. i. 196; vol. ii. 322; El. Blum. 68.

FUNCTION

is, that too many attainments should not be crowded on a mind of such CHAP. IX. limited powers, and that the particular faculty, which is the strong- SECT. II. est, should be peculiarly cultivated. Dr. Elliotson mentions an in- NERVOUS stance of the head of a male idiot, aged eighteen years, measuring only 16 inches in circumference, and 7 inches from ear to ear over the vertex, whose cerebrum weighed but 1 lb. 7 oz., and the cerebellum but 4 oz.; whilst the hemispheres were united as far back as the vertex, and no falx existed, except for about two inches from the anterior part of the tentorium.(7)

AND ITS ORGANS.

Besides this established rule, that the larger the brain in the aggregate, Of craniosthe higher will in general be the intellectual capacity, many very eminent copyor craanatomists and physiologists have insisted that the extent and degrees of niology, or certain particular departments of mental capacity and of talented or amia- phrenoloble, or evil predispositions, may be ascertained by two descriptions of ex- Ey and of physiognoamination, the one usually termed phrenology (but from its connexion my in genewith the bones of the cranium, more properly cranioscopy, or craniology,) ral.(m) and the other termed physiognomy; the former, founded on the principles of Phrenology and the appearance of certain bones and parts, and the other on those of Physiognomy, relying upon the expression of the muscles, eye and countenance.(m) Certainly it is clearly established that the brain is formed, as well in size as in shape, before the bones, and in general, instead of the bones regulating the dimension of the brain, they subsequently grow, and unless interrupted in their natural course, conform to the shape of the brain; so that the external appearance of the bones and head may be the indices of the natural size as well as shape of the brain.(n) But the natural and congenital size and shape of the brain may, after birth, be affected by several causes; as by the deficient powers of the constitution, in which the growth of the brain itself or the process of ossification either generally or locally may participate; the bones of the cranium may thereby be insufficiently evolved and impede its relative growth, and such bones may then appear unnaturally small, as is sometimes observed in idiots and epileptics;(0) so the bones of the skull may become too thick, and which may proceed even from laborious employments, physical and mental,(d) though a small depression in the bones of the cranium may have no influence on mental capacity.(g) Man possesses, not absolutely the largest brain, but the largest brain in comparison with the nerves arising from it;() and as the size of the brain generally governs the size of the head, it has been generally assumed that the extent of mental faculties, as well as some peculiarities, may be ascertained from external observation; and this is the reason that the artists of ancient

(1) El. Blum. 199.

(m) See as to phrenology and physiog nomy in general, the authorities and arguments in 3 Bost. 209 to 218; 1 Bost. 218, note; and in particular, Combes's Essays on Phrenology, who very powerfully advocates the doctrine; De Ville's Manual of Phrenology is one of the most recent publications on the subject of phrenology; Dr. Elliotson, Sir Everard Home, and other distinguished authorities, sanction the doctrine of cranioscopy in the most explicit terms; see Phil. Trans. for A. D. 1821; 1 Bost. 218, note; whilst Dr. Bostock, after referring to several authorities, disputes it; see 3 Bost. 213; as to the prefe rence of the name cranioscopy, see 3 Bost.

211, note; see 1 Dungl. Phy. 261 to 281.

(n) 2 Bell, 384; 1 Bell, 36; 1 Dungl. Phy. 266; Copl. Dict. tit. Cranium; and Cretinism.

(0) See several causes of idiotcy or
weakness of intellect, Copl. Dict. tit. Cra-
nium; 1 Beck, Med. Jur. 347.

(p) Id. ib., where it is established that
151 out of 196, and 480 out of 500 insane
persons had the bones of the skull too thick;
thereby either pressing upon the brain or
at least confining the same within too nar-
row limits. Probably this is the origin of
the common expression, "thick-headed,"
as denoting stupidity; and see 3 Bost. 209.
(7) Copl. Dict. tit. Cranium, 441.
(r) El. Blum. 549; 4 Good, 9.

NERVOUS

CHAP. IX. Greece, whether sculptors or painters, usually complimented their celeSECT. II. brated characters as well in size as with a projection in the forehead of even 100°, as being their ideal standard of the highest mental intelligence FUNCTION and sublimity, and which elevation and projection of the forehead was ORGANS. always supposed to indicate a greater than ordinary fulness and capacity of brain. The antique head was also with the same view represented as much broader than we now find to be usual or natural.(s)

AND ITS

Sir Everard Home, Dr. Elliotson, and many other eminent physiologists (following some distinguished continental physiologists(t) have strongly advocated the doctrine that different parts of the brain have different offices, and that the particular faculties, sentiments and propensities of each individual, may be ascertained whilst living, by external examination, of the cranium, and generally that phrenology or craniology is a science that may be studied with great practical utility.(u) Dr. Elliotson observes that Gall had the immortal honour of having discovered and proved that particular parts of the brain are the seat of different faculties, sentiments and propensities; (x) that the exact situation of the organs can be learnt only from drawings or marked heads; but that independently of them, certain remarks may be made, namely, First, That the organs of the faculties, or qualities common to man and brutes, are placed in parts of the brain, common as well to man as brutes, namely; at the posterior inferior, and the anterior inferior parts of the brain, that is, of the instinct of propagation, the love of offspring, the instinct of selfdefence, of appropriating, of stratagem, &c.: Secondly, Those which belong to man exclusively, and which form the barrier between man and brutes, are placed in parts of the brain not possessed by brutes, namely, the posterior superior, and superior of the front, that is, of comparative sagacity, causality, wit, poetic talent, and the disposition to religious feelings; and, Thirdly, That the more indispensable a quality or faculty, the nearer are its organs to the base of the brain or median line.(y) In A. D. 1562, we find a plate of the head, showing the supposed situation of some of the principal faculties,(z) which much resembles the more modern doctrine.(a)

The following Sketches and Explanations will sufficiently show the different organs and their situation upon which phrenologists rely.

(8) Conversat. Animal Economy, 59, 60; and see the sketch, post, 251; and 3 Bost. 209 to 218; but see Bell's Essays, 159, 160, 167, to 178, 217, 218, and plate of the outline of the Head of Mercury.

(t) See the ancient plate, post, 251; observations and authorities, 1 Bost. 218, note; 3 id. 209 to 218; also, 1 Dungl. Phy. 261, &c.

(u) El. Blum. 196; and Dr. Elliotson, note 1, 204 to 227; 1 Bost. 218, note 9; and 2 Bost. 209 to 222, where Dr. Bostock

appears to deny cranioscopy, and qualifies even physiognomy.

(x) El. Blum. 204. 206; see further Dr. Gall's octavo work, sur les Functions du Cerveau, and his work de la Physiologie du Systeme Nerveux; also, Dr. Spurzheim and Mr. G. Combes's works.

(y) See further El. Blum. 209.

(z) See the plate, post, 251; and El. Blum. 205.

(a) See the Sketch from El. Blum. 205; and other sketches, post, 251.

In the Manual of Phrenology, one of the latest explanations on the subject, (b) the following analysis of the fuller description of the supposed situation of these parts is given. The first nine faculties, it is said, give merely desire, and may be properly called propensities. Every head, except that of an idiot, has the thirty-five organs; but professed phrenologists do not attempt to say that they are all largely developed and active in any one individual; but that by observations on a few persons, every organ in one or the other will be found fully developed, (b) that is to say, in a few individuals; and that those who will pay attention to the manner a practical phrenologist proceeds when speaking of actions, will find that he does not attempt to point out or give more than five to nine or ten prominent points of character, except in very extraordinary cases.(b) Hence the phrenologist does not attempt to give more than a few of the prominent parts of the head, the rest being small and moderately developed, taking the same part in the character as their size manifest.(b) The following extract will show the outline of the doctrine.

"In making observations on the organs, it will be found they take different forms, according to their state of activity: the greater part of those in the posterior part of the head, when very active, present round or oval appearances, most of them round. Some of those in the anterior part of the head partake of the same configurations; while others particularly those near and round the eye-brows, only present a fulness at their situations. We, therefore, consider a few observations on their more general forms, when very active, will give facilities in taking a view of the science. It will also be necessary to observe, that when two or more are found active adjoining each other, (when so,) some difficulty will be presented, but which a little practice and study of the general configurations will soon remove. No. 1. Amativeness, when large, gives a fulness to the back part of the neck, (but care must be observed in making observations on persons inclined to be lusty,) between the mastoid processes and the occipital protuberance. In the skull it is more easily observed by the fulness at the same parts. No. 2. Philoprogenitiveness, when large, will be found at times round, but its more general form is an oval, extending outwards towards the ears, giving in the head a drooping appearance, and in the skull a projection, when large, not easily mistaken. It is more generally developed in the female than the male, to which it gives an elongated appearance to that part of the head, in which care must be taken in observing the proportions before and behind the

(b) Manual of Phrenology, page 113 to 120, published by Mr. De Ville, Strand, London, A. D. 1828, where may also be obtained a small illustrative bust. The most scientific phrenologists have informed the author that they practically find that any peculiarity in either of the

thirty-five enumerated propensities is but rarely developed, and that, in general, when an evil propensity is plainly discovered, some other counteracting propensity is to be found developed, which by due education may adequately restrain the former from becoming banefully active.