Crania of Aboriginal Americans. 136 



The average measurements of the three skulls are as fol- 

 lows : internal capacity, 79 ; coronal region, 15.4 ; anterior 

 chamber 32.2 ; posterior chamber, 48.50. 



We have no space to enter into any description of the skulls 

 found in the ancient tombs, or of those of the Flat-headed In- 

 dians and Charibs ; suffice it to say, that Dr Morton's mate- 

 rials are full and satisfactory on these topics, and his facts 

 and conclusions highly interesting. We subjoin a few of the 

 general results at which he arrives from a survey of his entire 

 field. 



" The intellectual faculties," says he, " of the great Ame- 

 rican FAMILY, appear to be of a decidedly inferior cast, when 

 compared with those of the Caucasian or Mongolian races. 

 They are not only averse to the restraints of education, but 

 for the most part incapable of a continued process of reason- 

 ing on abstract subjects. Their minds seize with avidity on 

 simple truths, while they at once reject whatever requires in- 

 vestigation and analysis. Their proximity, for more than two 

 centuries, to European institutions, has made scarcely any 

 appreciable change in their mode of thinking or their manner 

 of life ; and as to their own social condition, they are probably 

 in most respects what they were at the primitive epoch of 

 their existence. They have made few or no improvements in 

 building their houses or their boats ; their inventive and imi- 

 tative faculties appear to be of a very humble grade, nor have 

 they the smallest predilection for the arts or sciences. The 

 long annals of missionary labour and private benefaction be- 

 stowed upon them, offer but very few exceptions to the pre- 

 ceding statement, which, on the contrary, is sustained by the 

 combined testimony of almost all practical observers. Even 

 in cases where they have received an ample education, and 

 have remained for many years in civilized society, they lose 

 none of their innate love of their own national usages, which 

 they have almost invariably resumed when chance has left 

 them to choose for themselves." " However much the bene- 

 volent mind may regret the inaptitude of the Indians for civili- 

 zation, the affirmative of this question seems to be established 

 beyond a doubt. His moral and physical nature are alike 

 adapted to his position among the races of men ; and it is as 



