348 Morton’s Crania Americana. 
ture or the useful arts. In character, the Brazilian nations 
searcely differ from the Appalachian ; none of the American tribes. 
are less susceptible of cultivation than these ; and what they are 
taught by compulsion, in the missions, seldom exceeds the hum- 
blest elements of knowledge. 3d. The Patagonian branch in- 
cludes the nations south of the La Plata, to the Straits of Magel- 
lan, and the mountain tribes of Chili. They are for the most 
part distinguished for their tall stature, their fine forms, and their 
indomitable courage, of all which traits the Auracanians possess a 
conspicuous share. 4th. The F'wegian branch, which roves over 
a sterile waste, computed to be as large as one half of Ireland. 
Forster computes their whole number at only two thousand souls. 
Their physical aspect is altogether repulsive, and their domestic 
usages tend to heighten the defects of nature. The expression 
of the face is vacant, and their mental operations are to the last 
degree slow and stupid. The difference between them and the 
other Americans, is attributed by Dr. Morton to the eflects of cli- 
mate and locality. 
Thus far Dr. Morton has travelled over ground previously occu- 
pied by other naturalists ; but we proceed to a field in which he 
has had the courage and sagacity to enter boldly on a new path. 
He has added to his text numerous and minute measurements of 
the size and capacity not only of each entire cranium, but of its 
different parts, with a view to elucidate the connection (if there 
be any) between particular regions of the brain and particular 
mental qualities of the American tribes. In his dedication to 
John 8. Phillips, Esq., of Philadelphia,* he observes: “ It may, 
perhaps, be thought by some readers, that these details are un- 
necessarily minute, especially in the phrenological tables; and 
again, others would have preferred a work conducted throughout 
on phrenological principles. In this study Iam yet a learner; 
and it appeared to me the wiser plan to present the facts unbi- 
assed by theory, and let the reader draw his own conclusions. 
You and I have long admitted the fundamental principles of 
phrenology, viz. that the brain is the organ of the mind, and that 
its different parts perform differeut functions; but we have been 
a 3 
es Dr. Morton acknowledges himself to be under many obligations to Mr. Phil- 
lips in the prosecution of his enquiries, and says that it was he who invented the 
machines used j king th d ted in f himself. 
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