From a vague perception of this truth, it has probably arisen that the face in particular has ever been the principal subject of physiognomical observation, and forms almost the sole one of the celebrated Fragments of Lavater *.

But nature presents other, and perhaps still more beautiful, reasons for this preference of the face. All mental operation, and all volition is dependent upon sensation. By the face being left thus exposed, we are enabled not only to point out the capabilities of men with regard to sensation itself; but, as all effects are dependent upon corresponding causes, we are also enabled, in some measure, to predict the mental operation and the volition which may result from given powers of sensation.

Moreover, the face thus presents not only organs of sense, or organs of impression; its muscular parts are all under the guidance of the will, or of the organ of volition. Hence, the state of these muscular parts beautifully indicates the acts also of that organ on which they depend. So that the face presents organs of volition as well as those of sensation.

Now, had organs of sense alone been exhibited in the face, we could not infallibly have predicted the extent of mental operation; because, although no acts of the mind inconsistent with the obvious capacities of the organs of sense could have taken place, yet mental operation might have advanced to no very great extent. For it often happens, that the sensations, as in the negro, are strong, while the mental operations and volitions are weak. The existence in the face, however, of organs of volition, as well as of organs of sensation, enables us accurately to predict the precise extent to which mental operation has advanced, because all the acts of volition are the result of preceding mental operation, and could not have existed without it

See some Remarks on his doctrine in the APPENDIX, No, 4.

great intellectual functions, and we know that their energy, in perfect health, must precisely correspond with the developement of their organs.

The criterion, then, first of intelligence which this physiologist has pointed out, is afforded by the proportionally greater magnitude of the cerebrum, compared to the face and cerebellum; the criterion of sense or sensation is afforded by the proportionally greater magnitude of the face or, more properly, of the organs of sense, compared to the cerebrum and cerebellum; and the criterion of volition or of locomotive power, is afforded by the proportionally greater magnitude of the cerebellum, compared to the organs of sense and the cerebrum.

From every observation which we have been able to make, those criteria appear to be correct. Nor is it possible, that any criterion can be correct, which does not thus involve all the intellectual organs, and consider each with relation to its particular function.

Now, these three criteria of sense, intellect and voluntary motion, certainly, are strictly and beautifully applicable to the varieties of the human species. For the area of the cerebral cavity of the European skull is uniformly greatest, compared to the area of the facé and of the cerebellic cavity; while Ethiopic and Mongolic crania, without differing in general relative magnitude, (for what the Mongolic has in breadth, the Æthiopic has in height), seem strikingly to differ in this, that the area of the face is actually greatest in the Ethiop, compared to the area of the cerebral and of the cerebellic cavity, while the cerebellic cavity is actually greatest in the Mongol, compared to the area of the face and of the cerebral cavity *,

Thus, the Ethiop, having proportionally the largest organs of sense, ought to have the strongest sensation; the European, having proportionally the largest cerebrum, ought

*See PROOFS of this in APPENDIX, No. I.

to have the greatest intellect; and the Mongol, having proportionally the largest cerebellum, ought to have the greatest volition. Very beautifully all this is confirmed by the very habits of these varieties; for, while the northern people have the dullest sensations, they are the most active men on the earth, and while the negroes have the acutest sensation, they are the most indolent *.

It remains only to explain the difference in intellect between the Mongol and Aethiop, since, while their cerebral cavities are, upon the whole, of equal magnitude, that of the Mongol is broad, and that of the Aethiop high†. From this circumstance an intellectual difference must proceed. But the natives of colder countries have, with regard to intellect, been rather distinguished for calculation and mathematical talent, while those of hot, have, even in the common expressions of their language, been remarkable for imagination and poetical talent. Now, it is to be observed, that the common expressions of a language, afford a stronger argument on this subject, than the production of a few great poets, whose existence depends more on such incidental circumstances as general illumination, political freedom &c. which have more frequently fallen to the lot of northern nations. This being the case, no supposition so probable presents itself, as that the calculatory or mathematical talent of the one, is connected with his breadth of cranium, and the imaginary or poetical talent of the other, with his elevation of cranium.

In confirmation of this, it is worthy of notice, that considerable breadth of the upper part of the head is allowed, even by the most superficial observer, to give an air of sagacity; while great elevation, especially of the forehead, as in Charles XII. and a multitude of great men, gives a

* See PROOFS of this in APPENDIX, No. IL

See also PROOFs of this and of several succeeding facts in APPENDIX, No. I,

strong impression of imagination. Even in inanimate objects, breadth gives the appearance of stability and permanence terms which, though here physically used, are by the very habitude of language, in a moral sense, applied rather to calculatory or mathematical talent to sagacity than to imagination; and, in the same objects, height gives the appearance of lightness and elegance terms which, though here physically used, are also by the habitude of language, in a moral sense, applied rather to imagination than to sagacity. Hence, it is with strong reason, that breadth of cranium is here supposed to indicate stability and permanence, and height, lightness and elegance, or brilliance and intensity of function.

The physiologist above alluded to, therefore, proposes the arrangement of the human race into three varieties, founded at once upon physical form and moral habit-the physical form of three different organs, viz. those of sense, the cerebrum and the cerebellum, and the consequent energy of the sensitive, perceptive and voluntary powers, exercised by these organs.

That form and this energy, is proposed as the basis of all such classification, in lieu of the merely physical, and that, too, insulated basis of Camper, Blumenbach and others; and whether it lead to the adoption of three, or five, or any greater number of varieties is immaterial. The nature of the basis is that for which alone we contend. It, moreover, not only affords a natural classification of the human race; but presents the principles of a natural, simple and impressive system of physiognomy.

With regard to the different character of male and female crania, the same physiologist has ascertained, that when the cavity of the male and female cranium is of equal length, the portion before the cavity of the pituitary gland, is longer in the male than in the female; while that behind it, is longer in the female than in the male.

Now, in the anterior part of the cavity, are lodged those medullary fasciculi, through which impressions ascend to the common sensorium; and, in the posterior, those through which they descend*. Hence, it is probable, that the ascending impressions are stronger in the male; the descending, in the female. And, in perfect conformity with this, we find that more numerous and stronger impressions in the male, more rarely and weakly excite emotions and passions; whereas fewer and slighter impressions in the female, more frequently and more strongly excite emotions and passions.

But, as the male cranium is widest posteriorly, even in cavities of equal length, the rarer and weaker emotions and passions of the male are, consistently with the preceding doctrine, more permanent than those of the female

The female calvarium seems in general also narrower than that of the male; and hence, all her mental operations, though more brilliant and intense during their continuance, have, on the same principles, less permanence.

Though these characteristics have, in the preceding part of the paper, been applied only to the varieties of the human race, and to different ages and sexes, yet, it is obvious, that they all apply with equal correctness to individuals of • whatever description; and that they, therefore, constitute the first principles of physiognomy, which have not hitherto been thus founded on physiology.

Thus, organs of sense greatly developed, in comparison to the cerebral and cerebellic cavities, indicate the pre-eminence of sensation, and a diminished degree of intellect and voluntary power; the cerebral cavity greatly developed, in comparison to the organs of sense and the cerebellic cavity, indicates the pre-eminence of intellect, and a diminished degree of sensation and voluntary power; and the cerebellic

* See the Report of the Committee of the National Institute of France, on Gall and Spurzheim's Paper on the Brain, with Critical Observations, in the ARCHIVES of UNIVERSAL SCIENCE.