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No. XVII.—PSYCHOLOGY. 
By Dr. BEDDOE, F.R.S. 
Under this head may he included inquiries respecting the 
degrees of quickness of perception, the power of reasoning, 
learning, and generalizing, of fixing the attention, of memory, 
of perseverance, exhibited by the tribes or races observed. 
It would not be possible to lay down precise tests for the use 
of the investigator. 
The power of forming abstract ideas seems to be extremely 
limited in the lowest races. The faculty of attention is apt 
to be easily wearied. The memory may be keen with regard 
to particular classes of objects or events, but in other respects 
almost a blank. The power of drawing a map of the neigh¬ 
bouring country varies immensely, and may be tested with 
advantage. (The Esquimaux seem to equal or surpass most 
Europeans on this point.) 
Acquaintance with the languages of neighbouring tribes 
should be noted where met with, and its extent ascertained. 
Perseverance may be estimated by the skill displayed and 
success attained in hunting, carving, and other occupations. 
The degrees of curiosity manifested respecting objects new to 
the people, and of imagination and intelligence as to their 
probable or explained uses, should be taken note of. 
Any observations on the sequence of ideas in the minds of 
savages who have not come in contact with Europeans would 
be extremely valuable. 
Care should be taken to ascertain whether the slight pro¬ 
gress made by savages in acquiring habits of civilized life 
arises from incapacity or from the influence of acquired habits, 
customs, and modes of thought which are antagonistic to 
progress. Particular notice should therefore be taken, on the 
one hand, of the effect of European customs when introduced 
amongst savages and exposed to contact with native surround¬ 
ings ; and, on the other hand, of the influence of culture upon 
natives of the same race who have been removed at an early 
age from native surroundings and brought up in European 
schools. It is to the latter that the following questions chiefly 
refer. 
