994 OBJECTIONS TO THE THEORY OF 



tndes, or any other parts of the world, while it is 

 well known that the polar inhabitants are dimi- 

 nutive in stature, and of a feeble or phlegmatic 

 constitution. It is therefore clear, that a com- 

 paratively large chest is not always an indication 

 of activity and great muscular power. 



Nor is it true, as they maintain, that a large 

 thorax is generally accompanied with a small 

 brain or one of moderate size ; for Plato had a 

 large head ; and it is said that he took his name 

 from the great breadth of his chest. Dr. Cald- 

 well also informs us, from personal- observation, 

 that General Washington had a large head ; and 

 it is notorious that he had a remarkably broad 

 chest, Herculean frame, and corresponding mus- 

 cular power. The celebrated Mirabeau, like 

 Daniel O'Connell, was equally distinguished for 

 the enormous size of his head, and for the capa- 

 city of his thorax. Nor is it true, as a general 

 rule, that a large abdomen is an indication of 

 the phlegmatic temperament, as maintained by 

 Thomas and Caldwell : for in Mirabeau, O'Con- 

 nell, and hundreds of others that might be men- 

 tioned, it would be difficult to say whether the 

 thoracic, the encephalic, or the abdominal organs 

 predominate. How, then, shall we determine to 

 which temperament they belong ? 



Another objection to the above classification 

 is, that it does not embrace many individuals of 



