VIEWS OF PHRENOLOGISTS. 355 



medulla oblongata by two membranous and gelatinous peduncles, was 

 observed in place of the cerebellum. The one on the right side had 

 been torn. Near these peduncles, M. Combette found two small masses 

 of white substance, isolated and detached, as it were, of the size of a pea. 

 It is not, therefore, a matter of astonishment, that from an examina- 

 tion of all the evidence adduced on this matter, M. Longet 1 should have 

 concluded, that neither pathology, morbid anatomy, comparative ana- 

 tomy nor experimental physiology leads to the admission of the views 

 of the phrenologist in regard to the functions of the cerebellum. 



In regard, too, to the cerebral seat of the love of progeny philo- 

 progenitiveness, as it is termed it is a fatal objection, that, although 

 the instinct is strongly developed in the lower animals, the posterior 

 lobes recede as we descend in the scale from man, and ultimately leave 

 the cerebellum uncovered. 



One of the greatest objections brought against the system of Gall is 

 the independence of the different faculties of each other. Each is made 

 to form a separate and independent state, with no federative jurisdiction 

 to produce harmony in their actions, or to regulate the numerous inde- 

 pendent movements and complicated associations, which must inevitably 

 occur in the various intellectual and moral operations. Gall appears 

 indeed to have lost sight of the important doctrine of association, which 

 applies not only to the ideas, but to every function of the frame; and 

 with which it is so important for the pathologist particularly to be 

 acquainted. 



The second point of doctrine, that each of the cerebral organs ends 

 at the periphery of the encephalon, and is indicated by more or less 

 developement of the part, is attended with equal difficulties. It is 

 admitted, as we have seen, by the most eminent physiologists, that 

 the exterior of the brain is probably chiefly concerned in the mental 

 and moral manifestations. Almost all believe, that this function is 

 restricted to the brain proper. Gall and his followers include the cere- 

 bellum. Yet we meet with cases, which appear to militate strongly 

 against this notion. Hernia of the brain is one: in this affection, owing 

 to a wound of the cranium and dura mater, a portion of the cerebral 

 substance may protrude and be removed; yet the individual may, to all 

 appearance, retain his faculties unimpaired. This is explained by the 

 craniologist, by presuming, that as the fibres of the brain are vertical, 

 their extremities alone have been removed, a sufficient amount of fibres 

 remaining for the execution of the function; and he farther entrenches 

 himself in the difficulty of observing accurately, whether the faculties 

 be really in their pristine integrity. He asserts, that it is frequently 

 difficult to prove the existence of mental aberration; that the precise 

 line of demarcation between reason and unsoundness of mind is not 

 easily fixed; and that commonly, in these cases, attention is paid only 

 to the most general qualities; and if the patient be seen to take food 

 and medicine when offered, to reply to questions put to him, and to have 

 consciousness, the moral sense is esteemed to be free, and in a state of 



1 Op. cit., p. 272. 



