138 



tion of the cranium holds a predominance over all the others, till 

 their development is completed. 



From measurements which I have made, it would appear, that 

 the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical diameters, do not bear the 

 same proportion to each other at all periods. The vertical diameter 

 is proportionably smaller during early life ; more particularly where 

 it corresponds to the posterior fossa of the cranium, which lodges 

 the cerebellum. This would appear to depend on the slow growth 

 of the base. The transverse diameter proportionably exceeds the 

 longitudinal, till the third month after conception : hence the sphe- 

 rical form of the head at this period. From the third until the 

 ninth month, the longitudinal diameter grows more rapidly than the 

 transverse, which causes the elongated form of the head at birth ; 

 and, from birth until the growth is completed, the proportion of the 

 transverse to the longitudinal gradually increases, when their per- 

 manent relations of magnitude are established. 



These observations appear, in some measure, to favor the doc- 

 trines of Gall and Spurzheim, respecting the functions of different 

 portions of the brain : doctrines, which have excited much unme- 

 rited ridicule. Though their conclusions (many of which are sup- 

 ported by numerous facts,) have not hitherto received the sanction 

 ot general experience, to deride them, solely on that account, is 

 highly absurd. Since it has pleased Pro\ idence to make an orga- 

 nized material substance the medium of all the mental faculties, it 

 is not irrational to suppose, that these several faculties may depend, 

 for their existence, on certain parts of the organized mass ; and, for 

 their degree, on the proportion of these parts.* 



The irreg larities for the attachment of muscles, observed in the 



* See Parry, Elements of Pathology, London, 1815, vol. i. p. 281. 



