EXPRESSION BY MEASUREMENTS. 287 



highest authorities among modern comparative anatomists and ethno- 

 logists have given publicity to opinions all pointing more or less definitely 

 to an excess of longitudinal diameter, and an unusually long but low 

 frontal development, as among the most marked characteristics of the 

 Celtic cranium. 



In this, recent observers only confirm from more extended investiga- 

 tion, opinions advanced at an early period, including those of Prichard 

 and E,etzius» But other high authorities have shovyn an inclination to 

 challenge such, as conclusions resting on no satisfactory evidence. Dr. 

 Thurnam, in the Crania Britannica, quotes the distinguished Swedish 

 naturalist and archaeologist, Professor Nilsson, as stating in a letter to 

 him, in reference to the supposed Celtic type of cranium, that nothing 

 seemed to him more uncertain and vague than that term; for, he 

 says, hardly two authors have the same opinion on the matter. He 

 accordingly urges on his correspondent the desirableness of some one 

 in England undertaking the selection of a skull embodying what those 

 enjoying the special advantages which he assumes to pertain to that 

 country, shall agree upoii as constituting the Celtic form of cranium. 

 Of this he proposes that casts shall be taken, and so a type-form of 

 the race be determined. 



Although the statement of the Swedish naturalist as to an utter 

 want of agreement relative to the typical characteristics of the Celtic 

 eranium, can by no means be admitted ; his requirement has not only 

 been long felt as a desideratum, but repeated attempts have been made 

 to realise it. And here we are reminded of our obligations to phreno- 

 logy; for foremost among those who have laboured with this object in 

 view stand its founders and early disciples. The observations of Dr. 

 Adam on the crania of the Parisian Catacombs serve to illustrate some 

 of the researches conducted by Dr. Spurzheim with this object in view; 

 and other no less definite evidence shows that the zealous phalanx of 

 British phrenologists called into being by the teachings of Dr. Gall and 

 his collaborateurs, followed his example, and systematically aimed at 

 determining the characteristics of the Celtic, as well as other leading 

 ethnical types. Certain crania and casts are referred to in the Phreno- 

 logical Journal as selected from a number of the same tribe or nation, 

 so as to present, as nearly as possible,''a type of the whole, in the collec- 

 tion of the Edinburgh Phrenological Society; and among them is a cast 

 marked as a " Long Celtic skull." It is no less noticeable for narrowness 

 than length ; and especially for the elongated, narrow frontal region, 



