PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 429 



oval. Of course, those persons having a large development of comparison 

 and concentration, to use the language of the phrenologist, found this oval 

 was never long enough; while those having excessive acquisitiveness, 

 secretiveness and coinbativeness, were most positive that the oval was 

 never made broad enough. The true oval will seldom, if ever, make a 

 perfect fit. This defect was remedied some years since by an ingenious 

 Frenchman, who devised an instrument called the conformater, which shows 

 the true shape of that part of the head in contact with the hat. It is, in 

 appearance, like an ordinary hat; the sides b(;ing composed of a series of 

 adjustable levers, arranged with springs, so that when the machine is 

 placed upon the head the levers conform to it. To each lever is another 

 running inward, and having upon its top a metallic pin, so that these levers 

 show a series of pins, having (on a much reduced scale) the shape of the 

 liead. On to these a paper is laid, and the crown of the hat, which swings 

 on a hinge, is then brought down upon the paper, by which means the 

 pins impress upon it the exact shape required. With this form before him, 

 it is an easy task for the ironer to change a fashionable hat into a perfect 

 fitting" one. 



DYNAMOMETERS. 



The study of physiology has increased our desire to know more of the 

 vital forces, and consequently to ascertain by correct measurements the 

 actual power of the various parts of each individual. An instrument of 

 the dynamometer class is now much used for measuring the strength of 

 the limbs. It is so arranged that the power applied moves a strong spring, 

 and, at the same time, an index hand over a circular graduated scale, on 

 which is marked in pounds the force exerted. All measurements of this 

 kind must be accompanied with measures of the size and form of the per- 

 son, from which is deduced his proportionate strength. 



The lungometer is an instrument for measuring the pressure of air which 

 a person can exert by means of his lungs. This requires no additional 

 measure of their size. The last remark also applies to a delicate instru- 

 ment invented in France, for measuring the strength and rapidity of the 

 pulse. » 



CRANIOMETER. 



The craniometer is an instrument for measuring the size and form of the 

 head for scientific purposes. It consists of a semi-circle, on opposite sides 

 of which are movable graduated bars. As this device can only make a 

 measurement in one direction at the same time, the process to completion 

 is tedious. A modification of the French machine used by hatters might 

 be made, so as to give a projection of the outlines around the head, horo- 

 zontally and vertically, so as to include the cerebellum; also, two interme- 

 diate outlines, and a transverse line showing the relative position of the 

 ears. These projections would save a vast deal of uncertain manipulation 

 on the part of the phrenologist, and be most satisfactory to the person 

 examined. Besides, they could be preserved and compared with later 

 measurements, and thus settle the vexed question with regard to change 

 in the form of the skull. 



Aside from the practical and every day use of all the measures referred 



