348 Morton's Crania Americana. 



ture or the useful arts. In character, the Brazihan nations 

 scarcely differ fnim the Appalachian ; none of the American tribes 

 are less susceptible of cultivation than these ; and what they are 

 taught by compulsion, in the missions, seldom exceeds the hum- 

 blesi elements of knowledge. 3d. The Patagonian branch in- 

 cludes the nations south of the La Plata, to the Straits of Magel- 

 lan, and the mountain tribes of Chili. They are for the most 

 fart distinguished for their tall stature, their fine forms, and their 

 indomitable courage, of all which traits the Auracanians possess a 

 conspicuous share. 4th. The Fuegian branch, which roves over 

 a sterile waste, computed to be as large as one half of Ireland. 

 Forster computes their whole number at only two thousand souls. 

 Their physical aspect is altogether repulsive, and their domestic 

 usages tend to heighten the defects of nature. The expression 

 of the face is vacant, and their mental operations are to the last 

 degree slow and stupid. The difference between them and the 

 other Americans, is attributed by Dr. Morton to the effects of cli- 

 mate and locality. 



Thus far Dr. Morton has travelled over ground previously occu- 

 pied by other naturalists ; but we proceed to a field in which he 

 has had the courage and sagacity to enter boldly on a new path. 

 He has added to his text numerous and minute measurements of 

 the size and capacity net only of each entire cranium, but of its 

 different parts, with a view to elucidate the connection (if there 

 be any) between particular regions of the brain and particular 

 mental qualities of the American tribes. In his dedication to 

 John S. Phillips, Esq., of Philadelphia,* he observes : " It may, 

 perhaps, be thought by some readers, that these details are un- 

 necessarily minute, especially in the phrenological tables ; and 

 again, others would have preferred a work conducted throughout 

 on phrenological principles. In this study I am yet a learner ; 

 and it appeared to me the wiser plan to present the facts unbi- 

 assed by theory, and let the reader draw his own conclusions. 

 You and I have long admitted the fundamental principles of 

 phrenology, viz. that the brain is the organ of the mind, and that 

 its different parts perform different functions ; but we have been 



* Dr. Morton acknowledges himself to be under many obligations to Mr. Phil- 

 lips in the prosecution of his enquiries, and says that it was he who invented the 

 machines used in making the measurements, and executed many of them himself. 



