THE BRAIN AND ITS PHYSIOLOGY. i6i 



We conclude, as we commenced, by disclaiming any hostility 

 whatever to the phrenological system in the abstract, and by 

 freely admitting the general coincidence between the indications 

 of human character, which are afforded by cranioscopical examina- 

 tion, and those derived from a direct acquaintance. But we con- 

 sider that, in building up their system, the followers of Gall have 

 been too disregardful of evidence supplied from other sources than 

 observation of man ; and that they have been misled, as to the 

 fundamental connection of the cerebrum with the purely instinctive 

 actions, by their inattention to comparative anatomy, which proves 

 that the cerebrum cannot be the instrument of those actions ; and 

 have glossed over the important objection which the non-develop- 

 ment of the posterior lobes in the lower mammalia and in all the 

 oviparous vertebrata interposes to the location of the animal pro- 

 pensities in them. So far, however, from availing ourselves of 

 these errors, as conclusive arguments against the whole system, we 

 have endeavoured, by a new analysis of the propensities and 

 emotions, to show that the facts supplied by comparative anatomy 

 may be brought into conformity with the physiology of Gall ; and 

 that the phrenological system may be planted upon a much more 

 secure and extended basis than it has yet possessed ; a new and 

 more exact series of observations, however, being required to 

 build it up Avith anything like firmness and consistency. We 

 cannot regard the question of the functions of the cerebellum as 

 at all fundamental in its character ; and can easily understand how 

 a candid phrenologist like Dr. Gowan, may, on this point, embrace 

 the views held (we believe) by all the leading physiologists of 

 the day. 



Finally, we commend our review of the subject to the candid 

 consideration of those who thmk with us that the determination 

 of the general functions of the encephalon is the first question for 

 the physiologist ; that the determination of the share of these per- 

 formed by the cercbrn7n, to be effected by attention to comparative 

 anatomy and by experiment, is \}c\q. secotid ; and that the determina- 

 tion of the special functions oi different parts of the cerebrum, to be 

 effected (for the reasons we have stated) by the comparison of the 

 varieties of cerebral (not cranial) conformation in man, with some 

 assistance from that of the lower animals, is the third. Upon 



