ANALYSIS OF COMBB's "SYSTEM OF PHRENOLOGY." 263 



it is accompanied by languid vital actions, weakness and slowness of 

 the circulation, and sluggishness and feebleness of the brain in per- 

 forming its natural functions. The sanguine is denoted by well- 

 defined forms, moderate plumpness of person, tolerable firmness of 

 flesh, light hair inclining to chestnut, blue eyes, and ruddiness of 

 the cheeks, with a fair complexion : it is marked by strength and 

 velocity of the pulses, fondness for exercise, and an animated coun- 

 tenance, with proportionate activity of the brain. The bilious is 

 recognized by black hair, dark skin, moderate fulness and much 

 firmness of flesh, with a harshly expressed outline of the person : it 

 is attended with great energy of the brain and vital organs, while 

 the face exhibits strong and decided features. The nervous is cha- 

 racterised by fine thin hair, thin skin, small thin muscles, quickness 

 of muscular motion, paleness of countenance, and often delicate 

 health. In this constitution, the whole nervous system, including 

 the brain, is predominantly active, and the mental operations are 

 proportionally vivacious. Let it be observed, however, that a sim- 

 ple constitution rarely occurs in any individual ; two or more are 

 generally combined in the same person. The bilious-nervous is a 

 common combination ; it gives strength and activity. The lympha- 

 tic-nervous is not uncommon ; it produces sensitive delicacy of mind, 

 conjoined with indolence. And, from the nervous-sanguine, great 

 vivacity results, but it is without corresponding vigour or energy. 

 — That whereof every body talks, every body sliould try to know : 

 these notes of Mr. C.'s will instruct the ignorant. 



Mr. Combe's introductory discussions are followed by an expo- 

 sition of the principles of Phrenology ; and, under this department 

 of his System^ he undertakes and accomplishes a concise illustration 

 of the following subjects — a discrimination of mental dispositions 

 and talents ; a popular description of the brain, cerebellum, and skull, 

 of its bones and frontal cavities, and of the integuments of the 

 brain ; a practical application of the phrenological principles ; obser- 

 vations on the length, breadth, and forms of the cerebral organs ; 

 account of the phrenological bust and its progressive improvements 

 in shewing the situations of organs and their proportions ; on the 

 terms used to denote the gradations of size in the organs ; it is the 

 relative, not the absolute, size of the organs that indicates the pre- 

 dominance of particular talents or dispositions ; remarks ' on the 

 brains of the lower animals ; the distinction between power and 

 activity ; a solution of the inquiries — What is a faculty, and is the 

 mind simple ? A division of the mental faculties, with a view of 

 their natural language. As a mere intellectual exercise, the study 



