Elements of phrenology / [George Combe].

  • George Combe
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Elements of phrenology / [George Combe]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    45/250 page 27
    the functions of the whole brain. The answer to this is,—that each organ uniformly performs its own func- tions, even when acting along with others. The organ of Tune, for example, combined with Veneration, may lead to the singing of solemn hymns, and with Alimen- tiveness to bacchanalian songs; but in either case it pro- duces only music. The direction in which the organ is used may be modified, but the essential function is never changed. We do not observe on the surface of the brain divi- sions corresponding to the lines delineated on the bust; but each of the organs, when predominantly large, gives to the particular part of the skull under which it les a form corresponding to that represented on the bust; so that the forms are representations of nature, and not arbitrary.* The brain is soft, and when the skull is opened, its own phability, or the pressure of the air or of the plaster, or other substances applied to it, removes the forms which the organs presented in life. The con- volutions, however, differ in size, appearance, and direc- tion, so palpably that no good observer, acquainted with the anatomy and functions of the brain, could fail to distinguish an organ of a propensity or sentiment from an organ of intellect, although presented separately. As size, ceteris paribus, is a measure of power, the first object ought to be to distinguish the size of the brain generally, so as to judge whether it be large enough to admit of manifestations of ordinary vigour ; for, as we have already said, if it be too small, idiocy is the invariable consequence. The second object should be to ascertain the relative proportions of the different parts, so as to determine the direction in which the size is greatest. It is proper to begin with observation of the more * It is not to be understood, however, that the angles of the compartments are seen on the skull. In Dr Gall’s plates, the organs are, in some instances, indicated by lines marking only their centres, and in others they are bounded by curved lines with- out angles. See his Atlas, plates 98, 99, and 100.
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3