306 NATURE AND LIFE. 
large heads. We know that Cuvier’s brain weighed 1,829 
grammes (64 + oz.), while the mean weight of the brain 
among Europeans, as Broca states, is from 1,350 to 1,400 
grammes (48 + to 50 oz.). Sédillot regrets that we do 
not have, and wishes that pains were taken to obtain, the 
measure of the different dimensions of the skull among 
men conspicuous for marked capacities, in order to study 
the very noteworthy relations existing between those di- 
mensions and such capacities. At least we know, in a 
general way, what characteristics and what proportions in 
the skull correspond with the various degrees of cerebral 
activity. Almost all anthropologists are aware that the man 
whose head does not measure fifty centimetres (19.68 inch- 
es) in horizontal circumference is almost doomed to medioc- 
rity, and that one in whom that measurement equals or ex- 
ceeds fifty-eight centimetres (22.83 inches) has many chances 
to become quite eminent. It is true, some instances of 
distinguished men with small heads are mentioned, but, 
then, the case is that of men eminent in some very narrow 
specialty. These dimensions, however, form only one of 
the external signs by which the intellectual quality of the 
individual may be determined with some accuracy. We 
must study besides these the general shape and the rela- 
tive proportions of the different regions of the cranium, 
that is to say, the harmony which is called beauty. An 
easy way, Sédillot thinks, to judge of the conformation of 
the head, is to look at it from the side or in profile, and 
slightly back from the front of it. This strikingly brings 
out the relations of the height and breadth of the forehead 
and temples with the face, and shows clearly the relative 
proportions between the anterior or frontal contour of the 
head and the occipital or posterior one. Any one who has 
the eyebrow arches prominent, the temples open, straight 
or almost vertical, and high, whose forehead is broad and 
high, and his expression of countenance neither wandering 
