PROBLEMS ARISING FROM VARIATIONS IN THP: DEVEL- 

 OPMENT OF SKULL AND BRAINS/' 



By Prof. Johnson Symington, M. ])., F. R. S., F. R. S. K. 



It is now nearly twenty 3'ears sinee anthroj^olooy attained to the 

 dignity of being- awarded a special and independent section in this 

 association, and I believe it is generally admitted that during this 

 period the valuable nature of many of the contributions, the vigor of 

 the discussions, and the large attendance of njembers have amply 

 justified the establishment and continued existence of this section. 



While the midtifarious and diverse nature of the subjects which are 

 grouped under the term anthropology gives a variety and a breadth 

 to our proceedings which are very refreshing in this age of minute 

 specialism, I feel that it adds very considerably to the difficult}^ of 

 selecting a subject for a presidential address which will prove of gen- 

 eral interest. 



A survey of the recent advances in our knowledge of the many 

 important questions which come within the scope of this section would 

 cover too wide a lield for the time at nn' disposal, while a critical 

 examination of the various problems that still await solution might 

 expose me to the temptation of pronouncing opinions on subjects 

 regarding which I could not speak with any real knowledge or experi- 

 ence. To avoid such risks I have decided to limit my remarks to a 

 subject which comes within the range of my own special studies, and 

 to invite your attention to a consideration of some pro))Iems arising 

 from the variations in the development of the skull and the brain. 



Since the institution of this section the development, growth, and 

 racial peculiarities of both skull and brain, and the relation of these 

 two organs to each other, have attracted an ever-increasing amount of 

 attention. The introduction of new and improved methods for the 

 study of the structure of the ])rain and the activity of an aide ))and of 

 experimentalists have revolutionized our knowledge of the anatomv 

 and phj^siolog}' of the higher nerve centers. 



The value of the results thus obtained is greatly enhanced by the 

 consciousness that they bear the promise of still greater advances in 



c Address by the president to the anthropological section of the British Association 

 at the Southport meeting, 1903. Reprint(>(l from Report of the Britisli Association 

 for the Advancement of Science, 1903. 



047 

 8M 1908 42 



