Chap. II. Manner of Development. 55 



skulls from graves in Paris were larger than those from vaults 

 of the twelfth century, in the proportion of 1484 to 1426 ; and 

 that the increased size, as ascertained, by measurements, was 

 exclusively in the frontal part of the skull — the seat of the 

 intellectual faculties. Prichard is persuaded that the present 

 inhabitants of Britain have " much more capacious brain-cases " 

 than the ancient inhabitants. Nevertheless, it must be admitted 

 that some skulls of very high antiquity, such as tbe famous one 

 of Neanderthal, are well developed and capacious. 81 With 

 respect to the lower animals, M. E. Lartet, 82 by comparing the 

 crania of tertiary and recent mammals belonging to the same 

 groups, has come to the remarkable conclusion that the brain is 

 generally larger and the convolutions are more complex in the 

 more recent forms. On the other hand, I have shewn 83 that the 

 brains of domestic rabbits are considerably reduced in bulk, in 

 comparison with those of the wild rabbit or hare ; and this may be 

 attributed to their having been closely confined during many 

 generations, so that they have exerted their intellect, instincts, 

 senses and voluntary movements but little. 



The gradually increasing weight of the brain and skull in 

 man must have influenced the development of the supporting- 

 spinal column, more especially whilst he was becoming erect. 

 As this change of position was being brought about, the internal 

 pressure of the brain will also have influenced the form of the 

 skull ; for many facts show how easily the skull is thus affected. 

 Ethnologists believe that it is modified by the kind of cradle in 

 which infants sleep. Habitual spasms of the muscles, and a 

 cicatrix from a severe burn, have permanently modified the facial 

 bones. In young persons whose heads have become fixed either 

 sideways or backwards, owing to disease, one of the two eyes has 

 changed its position, and the shape of the skull has been altered 



'Revue d'Anthropologies,' 1873; the other hand, with savages, the ave- 



see also, as quoted in (J. Vogt's rage includes only the more capable 



' Lectures on Man,' Eng. translate individuals, who have been able to 



1864, pp. 88, 90. Prichard, ' Phys. survive under extremely hard con- 



Hist. of Mankind,' vol. i. 1838, p. ditions of life. Broca thus explains 



305. . the otherwise inexplicable fact, that 



81 In the interesting article just the mean capacity of the skull of 



referred to, Prof. Broca has well the ancient Troglodytes of Lozere is 



remarked, that in civilised nations, greater than that oi modern French- 



ihe average capacity of the skull men. 



must be lowered by the preserva- 82 * Comptes-rendus des Sciences,' 



tiou of a considerable number of &c. June 1, 1868. 



individuals, weak in mind and body, 83 ' The Variation of Animals and 



who would have been promptly Plants under Domestication,' vol. i 



eliminated in the savage state. On pp. 124-129. 



