[115] T. iii. p. 20.
[116] T. iii. p. 26.
[117] It is curious to see how M. Vimont, a very decided phrenologist as well as an able anatomist, expresses himself on the subject of the localizations of Gall and Spurzheim. “Gall’s work,” says M. Vimont, “is fitter to lead into error than to give a just idea of the seats of the organs.”—Traité de Phrén. t. ii. p. 12. “Gall says he has remarked, that horses whose ears are widely separated at the roots, are sure-footed and courageous. Possibly the fact may be true; but I cannot comprehend the connexion that may exist betwixt the outward mark and the quality of courage, whose seat, in the horse, Gall indicates at a point where there is no brain.”—Ibid. 281. “Spurzheim indicates the region of the frontal sinuses as the seat of gentleness, while courage is located upon the muscles that go to be inserted on the os occipitis.”—Ibid. p. 117. Such are M. Vimont’s remarks, yet this same M. Vimont inscribes the following twenty-nine names on the skull of a goose!
- 1. Conservation.
- 2. Choice of aliment.
- 3. Destruction.
- 4. Cunning.
- 5. Courage.
- 6. Choice of locality.
- 7. Concentration.
- 8. Attachment to life, or marriage.
- 9. Attachment.
- 10. Reproduction.
- 11. Attachment to the product of conception.
- 12. Property.
- 13. Circumspection.
- 14. Perception of substance.
- 15. Configuration.
- 16. Extent.
- 17. Distance.
- 18. Geometrical sense.
- 19. Resistance.
- 20. Localities.
- 21. Order.
- 22. Time.
- 23. Language.
- 24. Eventuality.
- 25. Construction.
- 26. Musical talent.
- 27. Imitation.
- 28. Comparison.
- 29. Gentleness.
“All this upon the cranium of a goose!” says M. Leuret upon this occasion, (page 355.) “And there is no place so small but it is occupied.... The faculties are so crowded,” adds he, “that it would be a marvellous thing to be able to write their names upon the brain.... It would be a greater marvel to discover them.”
[118] Gall himself says: “In whatever region we examine the two substances that compose the brain, it is with difficulty that we can discern any difference between them as to their structure, &c.”—T. iii. p. 70.
[119] T. iii. p. 63.
[120] “I remained a whole day shut up in an oven.”—T. i. 133.
[121] T. i. p. 263.
[122] Eloge de Tournefort.