274 PHYSICAL EXPRESSION. 



brain. Asymmetry of ears in dull children is 

 common. 



Similarity of development in two parts may be 

 good in kind. Handsome, regular features of the 

 face often accompany mental perfection. In giving 

 a list of examples of similar development it will 

 be seen that some are empirical, and not at present 

 capable of explanation ; such are probably due to 

 a common force acting alike on both subjects. In 

 other cases the coincidence can be explained. 



Emaciation or fatness of the face usually (not 

 always) indicates emaciation or fatness of other 

 regions of the body. 



Absence of the organ of hearing indicates deaf- 

 ness, and usually indicates deaf-mutism. 



Congenital absence of eyes indicates blindness, 

 and probable atrophy of the optic tracts. 



A congenital condition of the skin, termed icthyo- 

 sis, indicates usually a liability to bronchitis ; in 

 this condition the skin cannot perspire, and too 

 much work is thrown upon the lungs. 



Plants with small ill-developed leaves show much 

 constitutional delicacy; the small leaves cannot 

 assimilate material enough for nutrition. 



A very small or microcephalic head is a sign of 

 congenital idiocy. The absence of the faculty 

 mentation depends upon the smallness of the brain 

 consequent upon the microcephalism. If the skull 

 of the infant at birth be fully ossified expansion 

 will not occur, and the brain must ever remain 

 microcephalic; but still it is not certain that the 

 brains of such children would be capable of growth 



