FUNCTIONS OF THE CEREBRUM. 357 



The weight of the largest Cerebrum of the Gelding is far above the highest of 

 the Stallions ; but it seems to be an extraordinary case, as in no other was the 

 weight above 490 gr. If this one be excluded, the average will be reduced 

 still further, being then about 412 ; this may be seen, by looking over the 

 whole table, to give a very fair idea of the usual weight in these animals, 

 which is therefore less, by about one-twentieth, than the average of the Stal- 

 lions. The increased size of the Cerebellum in Geldings may perhaps be 

 accounted for by remembering that this class of horses is solely employed 

 for its muscular power, and that the constant exercise of the organ is not un- 

 likely to develop its size ; whilst Stallions, being kept especially for the pur- 

 pose of propagation, are much less applied to occupations which call forth 

 their motor faculties. 



470. The Author is far from denying in toto, that any peculiar connection 

 exists between the Cerebellum and the Genital system ; but if the evidence 

 at present adduced in support of the Phrenological position be held sufficient 

 to establish it, in defiance of so many opposing considerations, we must bid 

 adieu to all safe reasoning in Physiology. The weight of testimony appears 

 to him to be quite decided, in regard to the connection of the Cerebellum with 

 the regulation of the motor function. How far this invalidates the moderate 

 phrenological view, which does not regard the function of the Cerebellum as 

 exclusively devoted to the sexual instinct, is a question well deserving of at- 

 tention. There is nothing opposed to such an idea in the results of the ex- 

 periments already adverted to ( 459) ; since there is no evidence that sexual 

 instinct remained after the removal of the Cerebellum ; but, on the other hand, 

 there is no proof that it was destroyed. A circumstance which has been 

 several times mentioned to him, that great application to gymnastic exercises 

 diminishes for a lime the sexual vigour, and even totally suspends desire, 

 seems worthy of consideration in reference to such a view. If the Cerebellum 

 be really connected with both kinds of functions, it does not seem unreasona- 

 ble that the excessive employment of it upon one should diminish its energy 

 in regard to the other. Further, it would seem by no means improbable, that 

 the Lobes are specially connected with the regulation and co-ordination of 

 movements ; whilst the Vermiform processes, which are very large in many 

 animals in which the former scarcely present themselves, are the parts con- 

 nected with the sexual function. As an additional argument in favour of the 

 former part of this view, it may be stated, that in Man the lobes bear a larger 

 proportion to the Vermiform processes than in any other animal ; and that 

 they undergo their most rapid development during the first few years of life, 

 when a large number of complex voluntary movements are being learned by 

 experience, and are being associated by means of the muscular sensations 

 accompanying them : whilst in those animals which have, immediately after . 

 birth, the power of regulating their voluntary movements for definite objects, 

 witli the greatest precision, the Cerebellum is more fully developed at the 

 time of birth. In both instances it is well formed and in active operation (so 

 far as can be judged of by the amount of circulation through it), long before 

 the sexual instinct manifests itself in any perceptible degree. 



7. Functions of the Cerebrum. 



471. We come, in the last place, to consider the functions of that portion 

 of the Nervous Centres, which is evidently, in Man, the predominant organ 

 of his whole system ; being not merely the instrument of his reasoning facul- 

 ties, but also possessing a direct or indirect control over nearly all the actions 

 of his corporeal frame, save those purely vegetative processes, which are most 



