STUDY OF BRAINS OF SIX EMINENT SCIENTISTS AND SCHOLARS. 207 



was performed. The postmortem examination report is printed in the Gazette de Sante 

 (August 25, 1825) by the editor, Antoine Miquel ; it was reprinted in the Medico- 

 Chirurgiccd Review, N. S., II, 1825, p. 164. From contemporary newspaper reports 

 a similar account was given in Froriep's Notizen, IX, p. 143. The weight of 

 tlie brain is said to have been " 6 medicinal pounds." If the autopsy was per- 

 formed at Missolonghi, the Neapolitan or the Venetian system of weights was prob- 

 ably used ; if Neapolitan, the weight would be equivalent to 1924 grams ; if Venetian, 

 1807 grams. If English weights were at hand, which is very unlikely, the weight 

 would be 2238 grams. Even if the Venetian system had been used, the figure (1807 

 grams) is very high. The original report states that the brain was exceedingly con- 

 gested and two ounces of blood are said to have been found in tlie cerebral ventricles. 

 It is very improbable that the brain, if weighed at all, was so with any attempt at 

 accuracy. The crude statement of the weight in a round figure indicates this. Schuc- 

 hardt : Letter to Wagner in " Vorstudien," I, 1860, p. 93. 



LaPlace (1749-1827). The brain of LaPlace is said to have been in the pos.ses- 

 sion of the anatomist Magendie. Wagner: "Vorstudien," 1860, p. 24. 



Schubert, Franz (1797-1828). Hansemann and Sperino mention the brain- 

 weight of Schubert (1420 grams) but give no authority for the figure. I cannot find 

 evidence of Schubert's brain having been removed and weighed. 



Spurzheim, Kaspar (1776-1832). The anatomist and phrenologist Spurzheim 

 was born in Longwich near Trier and died in Boston. It is doubtful whether his 

 brain was actually removed and weighed. The figure for the brain-weight which is 

 commonly quoted (1559 grams) was probably estimated from the cranial capacity 

 (1950 cu. cm.) N. B. Shurtleff : "Anatomical Report on the Skull of Spurzheim." 

 Read April 2, 1835, before the Boston Phrenological Society. Annals of Prenology 

 (Boston), II, 1835, p. 72. Topinard : " Elements d' Anthropologic Generale," p. 628. 

 Manouvrier : La Quantite de I'Encephale," 1855, p. 280. 



Lamarque (General) (1770-1832). The brain-weight, 1449 grams, was probably 

 estimated from the cranial capacity. Manouvrier : " La Quantite de I'Encephale," 

 1885, p. 280. 



Pascal (1623-1662). The physicians in attendance at the post-mortem examina- 

 tion are cited as having observed the brain to be very large. Broca, in a later com- 

 ment, attributes its very large volume to the retarded closure of the anterior font- 

 anelle which is said to have occurred in Pascal's case. Gharpentier : " Vie de Pascal," 

 1854, p. 74. Broca : Bull, de la soc. d'anthrop. de Paris, 1861, p. 162. 



William III. There is an account of the post-mortem examination performed 

 upon William III of England by the "Physitians and Surgeons, coraanded to assist 



A. L. S. — XXr. X. 12, 10, '07. 



