122 Comparative Viem a} 



fore the Anglo-Saxon race, and have in no instance either 

 mingled with them as equals, or adopted their manners and 

 civilization. These phenomena must have a cause ; and can 

 any inquiry be at once more interesting and philosophical than 

 that which endeavours to ascertain whether that cause be con- 

 nected with a difference in the brain between the native 

 American race, and their conquering invaders ? Farther, some 

 few of the American families, the Auracanian, for instance^ 

 have successfully resisted the Europeans ; and the question is 

 important, whether in them, the brain be in any respect su- 

 perior to what it is in the tribes which have unsuccessfully 

 resisted ? 



It is true, that Dr GalFs fundamental principle, that size in 

 the brain (other conditions being equal) is a measure of the 

 power of mental manifestation, is directly involved in these 

 inquiries ; but we can discover no reason why it should not be 

 put to the test of an extensive and accurate induction of facts. 



Di* Morton reports the size in cubic inches, of the interior 

 of nearly every skull described by him. " An ingenious mode," 

 says he, " of taking the measurement of the internal capacity, 

 was devised by Mr Phillips. In order to measure the capacity 

 of a cranium, the foramina were first stopped with cotton, and 

 the cavity was then filled with white pepper seed* poured into 

 the foramen magnum until it reached the surface, and pressed 

 down with the finger until the skull would receive no more. 

 The contents were then transferred to a tin cylinder, which 

 was well shaken in order to pack the seed. A mahogany rod 

 (previously graduated to denote the cubic inches and parts 

 contained in the cylinder) being then dropt down, with its foot 

 resting on the seed, the capacity of the cranium, in cubic in- 

 ches, is at once read off on it." 



Dr Morton gives also measurements of particular regions 

 of the brain, as indicated by the skull. 



Secondly. The most distinguished philosophers on the mind, 

 divide the human faculties into the active and intellectual 

 powers ; and some admit even subdivisions of the feelings into 



* " White pepper seed was selected on account of its spherical form, its 

 hai-dness, and the equal size of the grains. It was also sifted, to render the 

 equality still greater." 



