The Mortal Remains of S'^tidenboeg 49 



more than 1400 gm., and only 30 °/o had a lower weight.' The figure 

 mentioned, 1400 gm., appears to be the average weight for European 

 male brains, without regard to social position, etc.: — the figures I'rom 

 different places vary between 1316 and 1433 gm. As concerns the 

 cranium found in Swedenboeg's coffin, one may, on the basis of several 

 investigations by Bolk 3, Reichakdt 23 and others on the relation of 

 brain-weight to cranial capacity, estimate, with very considerable 

 probability, that it had contained a brain Avhose weight during its 

 greatest vigor was not less than 1350 gm. and not more than 1450 

 gm. As will be seen, this agrees quite well with the given average 

 weight 1400 'gm. The cranium, consequently, can not have been that 

 of a person with an unusually large brain. 



This appears, perhaps, at first glance, to diminish the probability 

 of the cranium in question having been Swedenboeg's, but a closer 

 examination of the facts renders the unquestionable result that in this 

 ease they do not possess any value as negative testimony. This is not 

 the place for an exhausti\-e critical review of the theory regarding the 

 dependence of intelligence upon brain-volume; it will be sufficient here 

 to emphasize that from different directions (Retzius, Reichaedt and 

 others) strong protests have been made against such hasty conclusions, 

 which neither rest on sufficiently comprehensive material nor have 

 been arrived at with the proper criticism and necessary regard to 

 sources of error, wliich are in such investigations just as difficult to 

 avoid as they are easy to point out. But even if we assume that the 

 above-cited figures are quite correct and universally applicable, and 

 thus that the brains and crania of the majority of eminent men are 

 above medium size, there still remains a sufficiently large number of 

 Avell observed cases proving that a relatively moderate de\"elopment 

 of the brain in respect to quantity has not been any hindrance to a 

 great development of the intellectual powers: examples are given in 

 the note below. Ä priori it also seems quite probable that a fine, well 

 adapted organization of the brain-substance is of greater value for the 

 higher intellectual functions than a mere increase of its -s-olume. 



* Disregarding a very questionable statement regarding Cromwell's brain-weight (2231 

 gm.), the figures vary between 2012 gm. (Turgen.irff) and 1108 gm. (Gall). Among the 

 higher figures may furtlier be mentioned Guvier (1830 gm.), and among the lower Gambetta 

 (1314 gm.). 



Nnva Acta Reg. Soc. Sc. Ups. Ser. 1. Vol 2. N. 9. Impr. '" u 1910. 7 



