THE HUMAN HEAD. 145 



SO that the facial line is perpendicular : hence the angle 

 formed between this line and the horizontal one above 

 described is most open, or approaches most nearly to a right 

 angle, in the human subject. The face of animals is placed 

 in front of the cranium instead of under it : that cavity is 

 so diminished in size, that its anterior expanded portion or 

 forehead is soon lost, as we recede from man. Hence the 

 facial line is oblique, and the facial angle Is acute ; and it 

 becomes more and more so as we descend in the scale 

 from man : in several birds, most reptiles and fishes, it is 

 lost altogether, as the cranium and face are completely on a 

 level, and form parts of one horizontal line. 



The idea of stupidity is associated, even by the vulgar? 

 with the elongation of the snout 5 which necessarily lowers 

 the facial line, or renders It more oblique : hence the crane 

 and snipe have become proverbial. On the contrary, when 

 the facial line is elevated by any cause which does not in- 

 crease the capacity of the cranium, as in the elephant and 

 owl, by the cells which separate the two tables, the animal 

 acquires a particular air of intelligence, and gains the credit 

 of qualities which he does not in reality possess. Hence 

 the latter animal has been selected as the emblem of the 

 goddess of wisdom ; and the former is distinguished In the 

 Malay language by a name which indicates an opinion that 

 he participates with man in his most distinguishing charac- 

 teristic, the possession of reason. 



The invaluable remains of Grecian art shew that the 

 ancients were well acquainted with these circumstances. 

 They were aware that an elevated facial line, produced by 

 a great developement of the instrument of knowledge and 

 reflection, and a corresponding contraction of the mouth, 

 jaws, tongue, nose5 indicated a noble and generous nature. 

 Hence they have extended the facial angle to 90° in the 

 representation of legislators, sages, poets, and others, on 

 whom they wished to bestow the most august character. 

 In the statues of their heroes and gods they have still 

 further exaggerated the human, and reduced the animal 

 characteristics'; extending tlie forehead over tlic face, so as 



