PHRENOLOGY. 209 



650. " Fifthly, it is argued that the state of brain, in re- 

 gard to its perfection, and full development, corresponds 

 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 necessary connection 

 between these circumstances. 



651. " Sixthly, the brains of different individuals actual- 

 ly 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. 



652. " Seventhly, the exercise of the mental powers, 

 like that of the physical functions, is attended with 

 fatigue ; but it is found by experience, that the fatigue only 

 extends 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. 



653. " Eighthly, proceeding upon the principle, that the 

 dispositions and mental faculties are, to a certain extent, 

 innate, and observing that they exist in different individu- 

 als in different proportions, it follows that they must be 

 attached to different organs. 



654. " 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 individu- 

 als, by an examination of the scull. It is, therefore, by 

 an appeal to experience, that the supporters of cranios- 

 copy, and Dr. Spurzheim in particular, attempt to es- 

 tablish 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 ob- 

 tained by examining the heads of various individuals of 

 all ages, ranks, and conditions, minutely noticing the de- 

 viations from average form, especially with regard to 

 the size and situation of the eminences, or .protuberances 



18* 



