LECTURE II. 31 



in the estimation of narrow and broad skulls : botli originate 

 from tlie same point, but in such a manner that whilst the 

 growth of the latter proceeds at a uniform rate in all directions, 

 that of the former is confined to transverse expansion. In 

 this we find an accord with the type of development of the 

 lower creatures. I have already elsewhere drawn attention to 

 the similarity of all fcetal cranial forms. I am now prepared 

 to lay it down as a general law, that a cranial form occupies a 

 higher rank accordingly as it advances by uniform peripheral 

 development from the foetal form; and that it stands lower, 

 accordingly as the growth is confined to certain directions and 

 points. From this point of view, the narrow skull must be 

 considered as a lower type. Of course, no inference must be 

 drawn from this as to the mental capacity of the possessor of 

 such a skull. We will not leave unmentioned that possibly 

 the same position may be assigned to the most decided broad 

 skulls. Some of these, at least {e. g. the Tunguse), have a 

 tendency to vertical flattening. But if this be considered as 

 arising from the predominance of the growth in width, we have 

 the reverse of the type of development of the narrow skull. 

 The most perfect form would accordingly be the intermediate 

 one ; and it is, perhaps, not without significance that this form 

 is the inheritance of those peoples who have accomphshed 

 most in the province of intellect." 



I must freely confess that I do not perfectly understand one 

 point in this deduction. If " the uniform development of the 

 median plSne" means that the area of the vertical section is, in 

 proportion to the base line, the same in all normal skulls, the 

 result would be of considerable importance, and might be ex- 

 pressed in other words, — that the diminution of the frontal 

 part, for instance, is compensated by the occipital part, and 

 vice versa. It appears to me, however, that the estimation of 

 the median plane, from the few ordinates measured, must pre- 

 sent considerable difiiculties. But if the meaning is, that the 

 individual ordinates, calculated upon the base line, are equal to 

 each other, then I must express my disbelief, and should re- 

 gard it as a fundamental defect in the whole system of mea- 



