MAN. 
crai)ium is more capacious in the latter than 
in the former case. Tlie lateral compres- 
sion of the Etliiopian head, together with 
its narrow arched forehead, compared to 
the almost globular European cranium, with 
its broad expanded frontal portion, suffi- 
ciently account for this difference. At the 
same time, the bones of the face are pro- 
porlionably larger in the African ; the fora- 
mina for the transmission of nerves are 
more ample ; and, according to Soemmer- 
l ing, the nerves arising from the basis of the 
brain are more considerable. The result of 
these observations, together with the un- 
equivocal similarity in external form be- 
tween the African cranium and that of the 
monkey, leads us inevitably to the inference 
that the Negro approximates in structure 
to those animals. The facts which we pos- 
sess on this subject confirm the conclusion, 
wdiicb would naturally be drawn from tliese 
premises, that the mental faculties of the 
Negro are inferior to those of the white 
nations. Let it not, however, be conceived 
that these remarks are intended to degrade 
the African to a level with brutes, or to jus- 
tify those who consider him merely as a 
species of monkey. He is distinguished 
from all animals by the same grand and con- 
stant characters which belong to every 
variety of the human race. We merely 
state the obvious inferences deducible from 
acknowledged facts ; and consider that a 
difference in mental powers cannot afford 
any stronger argument in proof of a diver- 
sity of species than the numerous distinc- 
tions in bodily structure. Indeed, when 
we find the different races of mankind cha- 
racterized by such numerous differences of 
organization, it would be a matter of sur- 
prise if no diversity could be discovered in 
their mental endowments. The description 
which we have given above of the Negro 
cranium, must be understood in a general 
sense, and not as universally and unexcep- 
tionably applicable. Travellers inform us 
that several Africans differ from the l5uro- 
pean features and physiognomy only in 
colour ; so that the peculiar formation of 
the cranium, on the faith of which some 
philosophers would class these people as a 
distinct species, is by no means a constant 
character. 
The two next varieties are not so strongly 
characterized as the three which we have 
already considered. They form indeed two 
intermediate gradations, between the Euro- 
pean and the Mongolian on one side, and 
the African on the otlier. 
In the fourth, or American variety, the 
cheeks are broad, but the malar bones are 
more rounded and arched than in the Mon- 
golian ; and not expanded to such an extent 
on either side, nor possessing such an angu- 
lar form. The orbits are generally deep. 
The form of the forehead and vertex is in- 
fluenced in many instances by the efforts of 
art. This is most strikingly evinced in the 
head of the Carib, in which the upper part 
is sometimes literally flattened to a level 
with the eye-brow's, in a manner which 
could not be credited, unless upon the most 
nnexeeptionable testimony. It appears, 
from the relation of travellers, that they 
em'f»loy different methods of accomplishing 
their object ; as by tying a plate of wood 
on the forehead ; or by compressing the 
head between two plates ; or by pressure 
with the band. The instruments and ban- 
dages, by wbicli the prefigure is made, are 
delineated and described by Dr. Amic, of 
Gnadalonpe, in the xxxixtli vol. of the 
Journal de Pliysique. 
In the fifth, or Malay variety, the cra- 
nium is moderately narrowed at its upper 
part ; the forehead rather expanded ; and 
the upper jaw slightly proininent. 
ATc cannot at present deliver any very 
satisfectoiy account of the causes of those 
difiereuces which unquestionably prevail in 
the form of the cranium in the different va- 
rieties of the human species; much less are 
we able to understand the manner in which 
any assigned cause may be supposed to 
operate in producing its effect. 
It certainly happens in many instances, 
that the bones of the skull receive a pecu- 
liar form, from various artificial causes. 
Not to mention the flattened occiput of the 
Germans in the time of Vesalius, there can 
be no doubt that the form of the forehead 
in the Carib cranium is owing to artificial 
pressure. A similar rage for improving the 
shape of tlie head has been very prevalent 
on the continent of America. “ The In- 
dians,” says Adair, “ flatten tiieir heads in di- 
vers forms ; but it is chiefly tlie crown of 
the head they depress, in order to beautify 
themselves, as their wild fancy terms it; for 
they call us long-heads by way of con- 
tempt.” (History of the American Indians, 
p. 8.) Tlie method by which they accom- 
plish their purpose, is thus described by the 
same author. “ They fix the tender infant 
on a kind of cradle, where his feet are tilt- 
ed above a foot higher than the horizontal 
position ; his head bends back into a hole 
made on purpose to receive itj where he 
