88 



MUTUAL RELATIONS OE THE HUMAN FAMILY. 



Fis. 9. 



Oval skull of a European. 



ment of the zygomatic bones, and of the bones of the face altogether, when 

 compared with the capacity of the cranium, indicates in the pyramidal skull 

 a more ample extension of the organs subservient to sensation; the same 

 effect being thus produced by lateral expansion, as by the forward extension 

 of the facial bones in the prognathous skulls. 



86. The most civilized races, those which live by agriculture and the arts 

 of cultivated life, all the most intellectually-improved nations of Europe and 

 Asia, have a shape of the head, which differs from both the preceding forms, 



and which may be termed oval or 

 elliptical. This at once approves it- 

 self as a more symmetrical form; no 

 part having an excessive prominence; 

 whilst on the other hand, there is no- 

 where an appearance of undue flat- 

 tening or compression. The head is 

 altogether of a rounder shape than in 

 other varieties ; and the forehead is 

 more expanded ; while the maxillary 

 bones and the zygomatic arches are 

 so formed, as to give the face an oval 

 shape, nearly on a plane with the 

 forehead and cheek-bones, and not 

 projecting towards the lower part. 

 Owing to the more perpendicular di- 

 rection of the alveolar processes, the 

 front teeth are fixed in planes, which 

 are nearly or quite parallel to each other. The principal features in 

 this form of cranium are thus of a negative character ; the chief positive dis- 

 tinction is the large development of the cranial cavity, and especially the full- 

 ness and elevation of the forehead, in proportion to the size of the face ; 

 indicating the predominance of the intellectual powers over those merely 

 instinctive propensities, which are more directly connected with sensations. 

 Among European nations, the Greeks have probably displayed the greatest 

 symmetry and perfection in the form of the head; but various departures 

 may be traced, towards the preceding forms, when we compare the crania of 

 different races, and even of individuals, belonging to the same stock, some 

 approaching the pyramidal form of the Northern Asiatics, whilst others ap- 

 proximate to the prognathous type of the Negro. 



87. The influence of habits of life, continued from generation to generation, 

 upon the form of the head, is remarkably evinced by the transition from one 

 type to another, which may be observed in nations that have undergone a 

 change in their manners, and customs, and have made an advance in civiliza- 

 lion. Thus, to mention but one instance, the Turks at present inhabiting the 

 Ottoman and Persian empires, are undoubtedly descended from the same stock 

 with the nomadic races, which are still spread through Central Asia. The 

 former, however, having conquered the countries which they now inhabit, 

 eight centuries since, have gradually settled down to the fixed and regular ha- 

 bits of the Indo-European race, and have made corresponding advances in 

 civilization ; whilst the latter have continued their wandering mode of life, 

 and can scarcely be said to have made any decided advance during the same 

 interval. Now, the lon--since civilized Turks have undergone a complete 

 transformation into the likeness of Europeans ; whilst their nomadic relatives 

 retain the pyramidal configuration of the skull in a very marked degree. Some 

 have attributed this change in the physical structure of the Turkish race, to 

 the introduction of Circassian slaves into the harems of the Turks ; but this 



