THE NATURALIST. 



SEPTEMBER, 1832. 



PHRENOLOGY. 



[As there is a considerable agitation at the present period respecting 

 phrenology, we trust that many of our readers are desirous to know 

 something of the subject; who, nevertheless, are not prepared to bestow 

 much, either of time or of money in the pursuit of it. We have accor- 

 dingly furnished them with the following article, the principal part of 

 which, may be found in that excellent work, the Encyclopaedia Ameri- 

 cana. The reader will be pleased to consider it as in no way implicat- 

 ing our sentiments, but merely a true representation of the science as ad- 

 vanced by its advocates. We do not feel competent to decide on the ac- 

 curacy and completeness of the mental and cerebi'al survey executed by 

 Messrs. Gall and Spurzheim, nor profess to judge of the exactness and 

 fidelity with which the numerous positions are marked down in their very 

 complete and well-filled map of the brain. They appeal to observation 

 for the confirmation or refutation of their statements^ but our observa- 

 tions are not numerous or varied enough for these purposes. No one 

 can refuse to them the merit of patient inquiry, careful observation, and 

 unprejudiced reflection. They have performed the useful service of 

 rescuing us from the trammels of doctrines and authorities, and directing 

 our attention to nature, whose instructions cannot deceive us. Whether 

 the views of Gall and Spui'zheim may be verified or not, our labors in 

 this direction must be productive, and must bring with them many col- 

 lateral advantages. Although we are not desirous to make our pages 

 the arena of controversy, if any one wishes to refute or confirm their 

 views, we will most cheerfully act on the equitable principle of audi al- 

 teram partem.] 



' Phrenology (from phren, mind, and logos, science); also 



called craniology, the doctrine first systematically exhibited by 



doctor Gall, of the formation and functions of the nervous system, 



and particularly of that portion of it which is enclosed in the skull, 



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