Phrenological Society of Edinburgh. 4b3 



*' The following reports anrl notices have also been read : 



" Report on the Skull of King Robert Bruce, with Observa- 

 tions on the Character which it indicates, compared with his 

 History ; by Mr. James Law. 



" Observations on the Talents of several distinguished Indivi- 

 duals, as indicated by the Development of their Heads, shown in 

 their Portraits produced to the Society ; by Mr. James Stewart. 



" Historical Notice of early Opinions regarding the Functions 

 of the Brain ; by Mr. W. C. Trevelvan and Mr. George Combe. 



" Notice of Cardan, the Philosopher, and of some Peculiarities 

 of his Character, indicating a particular Endowment of several 

 Faculties; by Mr.W. C. Trevelyan. 



" No object is more interesting to Society, than the allotment 

 of particular professions or occupations to individuals most fitted 

 by nature to j)ursue them with advantage. Phrenology, by means 

 of the cerebral development, affords a powerful help for discover- 

 ing the natural dispositions and talents of individuals. The chief 

 difficulty which remains, is to predict the effects of particular 

 combinations of the primitive powers, and of particular modes of 

 education upon them. Experience only can lead to certain know- 

 ledge upon these points; but experience can be obtained only 

 bv experiment and observation. The Society, therefore, by the 

 kindness of a lady, "ho takes an interest in the science of Phre- 

 nology, has been made acquainted with the case of a girl of nine 

 years of age, selected for education to a particular pursuit, on 

 account of her cerebral development appearing <^minent!y to fit 

 her for such an avocation. A cast of the head has been made, 

 and a report of her development and endowments at the time 

 when her instruction commenced, has been placed among the 

 records of the Societv; and time will show how far the anticipa- 

 tions formed have been well or ill founded. It i"; three months 

 since the course of instruction was begun ; and hitherto the indi- 

 cations have surpassed, rather than fallen short of, the expecta- 

 tions entertained." 



A list of the Members composing the Society is attached to 

 the Report: ordinary Members forty-two; honorary Members 

 three ; corresponding Mem!)ers five. 



CKYLON LITKKARY SOCIETY. 



A Society for investigating the Natural and Civil History, Geo- 

 grajjhv, &;c. of Ceylon, was established under the patronage of 

 the Hon. the Lieutenant Governor, at a meeting of Gentlemen of 

 His Majesty's service, civil and military, held at the King's House 

 in Colombo, the 11th of last December. The objects to which 

 the attention of the Society seem principally to be directed are : 



Ist. " The Geography, Gcolou;v, and Mineralogy of Cevlon. 



'2.ilv. 



