Miscellanies. 391 



tion of cultivated minds, recently listened attentively to Mr. Combe's 

 lectures on phrenology and mental philosophy, delivered in New Ha- 

 ven. His course occupied thirteen evenings, each lecture being two 

 hours long, with an intermission of five minutes. 



A thirteenth lecture, on physical education, was added to the usual 

 course of twelve, and paid for extra, at a very reasonable rate, in or- 

 der to purchase his collection of busts and masks, which object has 

 been effected in consequence of a full attendance for that purpose, 

 and they are to remain in New Haven. 



During the eighteen months that have elapsed since the arrival of 

 Mr. Combe in this country, its people have, in many places, enjoyed 

 the opportunity of hearing phrenology explained by one of its most 

 accomplished professors. The sterling good sense and integrity — 

 the extensive and various science — the numerous illustrative anec- 

 dotes — the clear method — the unity of design and execution — the 

 simplicity of language and the absence of all pretension, which char- 

 acterize Mr. C(jmbe's lectures, have secured for him the respect, es- 

 teem and kind regard of his hearers. 



That all who listened, especially for the first time, to the details of 

 this extraordinary branch of science, should fully adopt, or even en- 

 tirely comprehend them, is not to be expected. But whatever opin- 

 ion may be formed respecting the external manifestation of the men- 

 tal powers and sentiments by the size and figure of the cranium, no 

 one can doubt that all which distinguishes man from the animals, is 

 manifested through his mind — that the propensities and the faculties 

 are real, and therefore an able analysis of them by a master, must 

 ever be an interesting and instructive thing. There is no doubt that 

 the knowledge admits of important practical applications, and that a 

 just comprehension of human physiology and anatomy, would correct 

 many errors in education, and lead the way to reform in many impor- 

 tant particulars as regards our habits of life. 



We have no time or space in this passing notice, to add any thing 

 more than our good wishes for Mr. Combe, assured that he has made 

 very favorable impression of his powers and character in the country 

 which he is about to leave. 



17. Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, com- 

 piled from the Records of the Society, by Jeffries Wyman, M. D., 

 Recording- Secretary. 



Oct. 2, 1839. — George B. Emerson, Esq., President, in the chair. 



The president made a report on a specimen of the Lycopodon gi- 

 ganteum, of Batsch. Its greatest circumference was 3 feet 4h inches ; 



