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Vol. II.
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92

PHYSIOGNOMY AND CRANIOLOGY .

the organ of mind? or shall we not rather look more nar-rowly into its structure, and see if we cannot consider apart in relation to some specific portion of the mind ? parts,which he alleges, may be shown to he anatomically distinct,in exactly the same manner as the brain was formerly con-sidered. Pie adds, we shall on such inquiiy discov er, andby this more minute research, that it is but in a rationalpursuit of the inquiry suggested on the first general obser-vation. Dr. (Pall then professes to have made this inquiry,and to have found that we ought not to content ourselveswith considering the brain as the organ of thought, butas a congerie of distinct organs ; the existence of which,alone renders that great diversity and infinite variety oftalent possible, which are known to distinguish the variousindividuals oi the human race from each other, not morethan they themsei. n are rendeied distinct from other objectsin the creation. T'nch of these nervous streaks we observein the brain, will be discovered to make a particular circum-volution of tire hemispheres, and should be considered,Dr. Gall alleges, as an organ of some particular function ofthe.mind; i.e. that each streak, or duct, should be regardedas a portion upon which the mind operates according tosome certain and determined degree of force ; and its struc-ture being so organized, as to receive the impressions com-munir. ted to it. The following consideration, in this stateof the question, must be regarded of great importance. The physiologist has observed in the animal creation,that the nerves of those animals which are distinguished forsmelling, seeing, hearing, Sac. are marked for being numerousand large, evincing a more elaborate developement. Andbeing accustomed to see the olfactory, optic, and auditorynerves in animals proportionally large to the 'perfection ofthe senses they severally furnish the individual with.Whence, he draws the general inference, that, wheneverany organ is found in a higher state of developement, thenwe may expect to find the power dependent on it in a cor-responding degree of energy. But, he prudently and withjustice adds, the living brain never being exposed toobservation, and from the nature of its substance, to seemuch of its form and texture soon after the death of thesubjectthe inference of the physiologist concerningthe organs of the brain, would therefore avail but little*,unless some certain connexion were ascertained betweenthe brain and the skull. This connexion is asserted in thefollowing fundamental position : That the internal laminaof the skull, is, during thq life of man, perpetually forming