OSSEOUS SYSTEM OF MAMMALIA. 51 



section of the human skull; and figs. 19 and 20, for sections of the 

 skull of the Ox and Elephant.) In the adult European, the area of a 

 section of a skull is almost four times that of the face ; in the Negro, 

 according to Cuvier, the comparative area of the face exceeds, by about 

 a fifth, that of the European. In the Ape tribe, the area of the skull 

 averages little more than double that of the face, and often not so much. 

 In most Carnivora the respective areas are nearly equal. In the Roden- 

 tia the area of the face nearly doubles that of the skull. In the rumi- 

 nants and Pachydermata the area of the face is from three to four 

 times as extensive as that of the skull. In the Cetacea there is great 

 variation ; and the elongated slender form of the face makes it difficult 

 to ascertain the relative proportions very correctly. 



Another test has been proposed for determining the intellectual grade 

 of an animal ; namely, by measuring the relative extent of the anterior 

 and posterior development of the cranium, on each side of a line drawn 

 over the skull, from the orifice of one ear to that of the other ; the degree 

 of intellect being, as it is assumed, in proportion to the amplitude of the 

 anterior section. This test, however, is utterly fallacious ; for the position 

 of the auditory foramen varies with regard to the cranium, irrespective 

 of the volume of the latter, and of the magnitude of the anterior lobes of 

 the brain. The compass of the zygomatic arch, for example, in the Dog 

 tribe, throws the orifice of the ear close to the edge of the vertical 

 occipital bone ; and the same obtains in the Kangaroo : therefore the 

 Dog and Kangaroo, having the greatest proportionate volume of cranium, 

 anterior to a line drawn from ear to ear, ought to be more intelligent 

 than the Orang, or even Man ; and certainly equal in intelligence to 

 each other ; whereas the Kangaroo is among the most stupid of Mam- 

 malia, while the Dog is remarkable for sagacity. This part of our subject 

 may be dismissed by reiterating the observation, that the only test of 

 intellectual superiority is to be found in the development and perfec- 

 tion of the brain itself that of Man being the standard ; and that all 

 attempts at obtaining a satisfactory result, from the application of lines 

 and measures, have proved futile and abortive. 



The position of the skull, the situation of the foramen magnum (or 

 orifice, through which the medulla oblongata emerges into the vertebral 

 canal), and of the articulating condyles on each side of this foramen, by 

 which it is connected with the spinal column, next demand attention. 



It need not be observed, that, with the position of the head, and, con- 

 sequently, the situation of the articulating condyles of the occipital bone, 

 are connected certain modifications of the general frame, adapting it for 

 the upright, oblique, or horizontal attitude. Now, the situation of these 

 condyles varies, from being basal, or nearly so, in Man, to a completely 

 posterior situation in a line parallel to that of the projecting muzzle in 



