176 Mr "i^asmyih on the Human Mouth. 



low retiring forehead is a concomitant of the prominent mouth. 



Another marked concomitant is that feature of countenance 



which is produced by the high cheek bones. The osseous 



frame- work of that prominency is composed of the portion of 



the superior maxillary bone into which the grinding teeth are 



implanted, and the true cheek bone or molar, which, with the 



zygomatic process of the temporal bone, forms the arch 



through which the temporal muscle or powerful levator of the 



under jaw passes. The first of these portions, namely, the 



portion of the superior maxillary bone, containing the molar 



teeth, is surmounted by the antrum or hollow ball of the cheek. 



The fangs of these molar teeth embrace the floor of this 



hollow, in the manner of beams or joistings. It is evident,. 



that as these teeth are powerfully developed, the fangs will be 



strong and divergent, and thus increase the volume of the 



ball of the cheek. The exactions of uncivilized life produce 



that effect, and we, therefore, have this consequence. With 



the increase of this ball, we have a consequent protrusion of 



the bones which rest on this portion of the superior maxillary 



bone, namely, the molar, and through it the zygomatic process 



of the temporal. There is, however, a powerful concomitant 



movement to the protrusion of these latter bones, by means 



of the powerful action and development of the temporal muscle 



passing under it, and exercising its force with its consequent 



increase of bulk in expanding that arch. 



Although we have many well authenticated cases recorded 

 of these peculiar features of the human countenance being 

 somewhat reclaimed or ameliorated by improvement in the 

 circumstances of succeeding generations, yet there appears 

 to be a greater and longer-continued tendency to the extra 

 development of these than of any other. The prominent features 

 in the high cheek bones of mountaineers are generally quite 

 characteristic. The Scotch and Welsh Highlanders of our 

 own country are familiar examples. Exposure to a pure at- 

 mosphere produces in them keen appetites, which, by en- 

 couraging a vigorous mastication, may keep up the hereditary 

 tendency. The concomitant of the flat nose with the pro- 

 minent mouth, may be accounted for from the inversion of the 

 superior portions of the intermaxillary bones forming the root 



