338 Dr. J. B. Davis on the Weight of the Brain [Jan. 23, 



obtained by the latter. The general result of our Table is an average 

 brain-weight for the English of 47'50 oz., or 1346 grms., which agrees 

 tolerably well with the conclusions deduced by all these observers, being a 

 mean term. 



The mean derived from the 16 French skulls is 45*47 oz., or 1280 grms. — 

 that is, 66 grms. less than the English. The general result of an extended 

 series of measurements by Prof. Broca of 357 French crania, those of men 

 and women undistinguished, when subjected to our rule, gives a mean of 

 44"58 oz., or 1263 grms. — that is, 17 grm.s. below our deduced average. 



The skulls of Italians, of Lajjps, and of Swedes agree in giving a brain- 

 weight closely coinciding with that of the English. Those of the Frisians 

 and Butch come into the same category. 



In the 15 German skulls (it should be observed that 13 are those of men) 

 the average brain- weight exceeds that of the English. It is 50°28 oz., or 

 1425 grms., an excessive weight. This |Drobably follows from the unusual 

 size of these German skulls, as well as in some degree from the great pre- 

 dominance of men's skulls ; for Prof. Huscbke, Vt^ho weighed upwards of 

 60 brains of Germans, two-thirds being those of men, found the mean 

 weight to be no more than 1384 grms. Prof. Eudolph Wagner also tested 

 by the balance 31 brains of Germans, the larger half being those of m.en, 

 and obtained a mean of only 1300 grms., itself a sufficiently large weight. 

 In the investigations of Prof. Welcker, who employed 30 adult normal 

 skulls of men and 30 of women, the mean brain-weight of the series rises 

 only to 42*83 oz., or 1214 grms. This seems to be conclusive that our 

 specimens are large skulls, and that the size of the German bram has been 

 somewhat overrated. The result of further investigation will probably be 

 to correct these discrepancies. 



In entering upon the decidedly brachycephalic races of Europe, it must 

 be noted that we have for our examination the skulls of men only, and those 

 in small numbers, which will prevent any accurate comparison with the 

 rest of the series. The m.ean brain- weight of two male Poles is 47' 14 oz., 

 or 1336 grms. That deduced from Dr. A. Weisbach's gauging of 25 skulls 

 of young Polish men, when subjected to our rule, is 47" 2 i oz., or 1338 grms., 

 a result almost identical with that from our observations. 



The Gijjsies of "W allachia present a marked diminution of brain-weight 

 when compared with the Bumangos and other races of that region. The 

 mean of 6 male Eumango skulls is 45'97 oz., or 1303 grms. ; that of two 

 male Gipsies is 43*93 oz., or 1245 grms. 



Although it has reference merely to the collection of skulls upon which 

 these observations have been made, the order in which the different Euro- 

 pean races range themselves, beginning vdth the heaviest brain-weights and 

 proceeding to the lightest, is given in the memoir. The general mean of 

 the European series is 46*87 oz., or 1328 grms. 



In entering upon the Asiatic Races, we are at once struck with the 

 small brain-weights of the people at the commencement of the Table, the 



