190 BRAIN-WEIGHT AND SIZE IN RELATION 



in cases where science lias much to hope for from freedom of investi- 

 gation. Hence the data thus far accumulated in evidence of the actual 

 structure, size and weight of the human brain fall far short of what is 

 requisite for a solution of many questions in reference to the relations 

 between cerebration and mental activity. From time to time men of 

 science have sought by example, as well as by precept, to lessen such 

 impediments to scientific research. Dr. Dalton left instructions for 

 a 2^ost mortem examination, in order to test the peculiarity of his 

 vision, which he had assumed to be due to a colouring of the vitreous 

 humour ; Jeremy Bentham bequeathed his body to his friend Dr. 

 Southwood Smith, for the purposes of anatomical science ; and the 

 Will of Harriet Martineau, who died during the present year, con- 

 tains this provision : " It is my desire, from an interest in the progress 

 of scientific investigation, that my skull should be given to Henry 

 George Atkinson, of Upper Gloucester Place, London, and also my 

 brain, if my death should take place within such distance of his then 

 present abode as to enable him to have it for purposes of scientific 

 investigation." The Willis dated March 10th, 1864; but by a 

 codicil, dated October 5, 1871, this direction is revoked, with the 

 explanation which follows in these words : "I wish to leave it on 

 record that this altei"ation in my testamentary directions is not caused 

 by any change of oj)inion as to the importance of scientific observa- 

 tion on such subjects, but is made in consequence merely of a change 

 of circumstances in my individual case." The natui'al repugnance of 

 surviving relatives to any mutilation of the body must always tend 

 to throw impediments in the way of such researches ; though it may 

 be anticipated that, with the increasing difiusion of knowledge, such 

 obstacles to its pursuit will be diminished. Thus far, however, 

 notwithstanding the persevering labours of Welcker, Bergmann, 

 Parchappe, Broca, Boyd, Skae, Owen, Thurnam, and other physiolo- 

 gists, their observations have been necessarily limited almost exclu- 

 sively to certain exceptional sources of evidence, embracing to a large 

 extent only the pauper and the insane classes ; and in the case of the 

 latter especially, the functional disorder or chronic disease of the 

 organ under consideration renders it peculiarly desirable that such 

 results should be brought, as far as possible, into comparison with a 

 corresponding number of observations on healthy brains of a class 

 fairly representing the social and intellectual status of a civilized 

 community. 



