PHRENOLOGY. 213 



" Fifthly, it is argued that the state of the brain in 

 regard to its perfection, and full development, corres- 

 ponds to the state of the mental faculties at the different 

 periods of life, and also to their degree of perfection 

 among the inferior animals, so as to indicate a necessa- 

 ry connection between these circumstances. ; 



" Sixthly, the brains of different individuals actually 

 differ in the proportionate form and size of their parts, 

 and it is therefore reasonable to presume, that this may 

 be the cause of the difference which is admitted to 

 exist in the faculties of different individuals. 



" Seventhly, the exercise of the mental powers, like 

 those of the physical functions is attended with fatigue ; 

 but it is found by experience, that the fatigue only ex- 

 tends to that particular power which has been exercised : 

 it may, therefore, be presumed that its action is confined 

 to a certain portion of the brain only. 



" Eigthly, proceeding upon the principle, that the dis- 

 positions, and mental faculties are, to a certain extent, 

 innate, and observing that they exist in different individ- 

 uals in different proportions, it follows that they must be 

 attached to different organs. 



" The above," says Dr. Bostock, " appears to me to 

 exhibit a fair statement of the nature of the arguments 

 which have been employed, to prove the antecedent 

 probability of the doctrine of cranioscopy. But its ad- 

 vocates are aware that its merits must principally rest 

 upon the degree in which it is found to correspond with 

 well ascertained facts, and correct observation, and 

 with the power which it actually affords us of acquiring 

 a knowledge of the character and disposition of indi- 

 viduals, by an examination of the skull. It is, therefore, 

 by an appeal to experience, that the supporters of cran- 

 ioscopy, and Dr. Spurzheim in particular, attempt to 

 establish their opinion, and they have accordingly brought 

 forward a number of facts of this description, which 

 are supposed to form a sufficiently firm basis for their 

 system. They consist of the results which were obtained 

 by examining the heads of various individuals of all ages, 

 ranks, and conditions, minutely noticing the deviations 

 from average form, especially with regard to the size 

 and situation of the eminences, or protuberances which 



