of the Arabians. 323 



In addition, we have observed, 1.9^, That the circumvolutions 

 of the brain, whose mass is in proportion to the capacity of the 

 cranium, are more numerous, and the furrows which separate 

 them are deeper, and the matter which forms the organ are 

 more dense or firmer than in other races.* 2(Z, That the ner- 

 vous system, proceeding from the medulla oblongata and the 

 spinal cord, appears to us to be composed of nerves more dense 

 in their structure than is found in Europeans generally. 2d, 

 That the heart and the arterial vascular system present the 

 greatest regularity, and a most perfect development, ith. That 

 the external senses of the Arabs are exquisitely acute and re- 

 markably perfect ; their sight has a most extensive range, they 

 hear at very great distances, and also perceive the subtlest 

 odours ; this perfection is likewise very conspicuous in all the 

 vital organs. 



The muscular or locomotive system is strongly marked, and 

 is conspicuously designed under the skin ; its fibres are of a 

 deep red colour, firm, and very elastic, explanatory of the 

 power and agility of this people. This physical perfectability 

 is very far from being found among the mixed nations of a part 

 of Asia and of America, and especially among the northern na- 

 tions of Europe. Upon the whole, I am convinced that the 

 cradle of the human race is to be found in the country on which 

 we have had occasion to dwell ; and this conclusion would be 

 more decidedly reached, if we could ascertain the specific gra- 

 vity of the bones of the true Arabs ; for this would assuredly 

 appear greater, other things being equal, than with people of 

 other nations, who undoubtedly do not possess in the same per- 

 fection the other normal properties on which we have dwelt ; 

 and this again leads to the conclusion that the Arab is the 

 primitive race. 



I have found among the Spaniards, more especially the 

 Basques and Catalonians, a great analogy in physical and 

 instinctive qualities with the Arabians, from whom, without 

 doubt, the majority of the inhabitants of Spain and of our Py- 



* These phenomena have been observed in the brain of the celebrated 

 poet Byron. We have given an account of his necrqp$if in the 6th vol* of our 



Clinique Chirurgicale. 



