Adhesiveness (3d) is located by Spurzheim farther back and lower than it should be; also, too far back in Gall’s map. It belongs to the vacant space in front of Gall’s location.
Inhabitiveness (5th) is an imaginary definition of the function located behind Self-esteem. Equally imaginary is the doctrine of the Edinburgh phrenologists, who call it Concentrativeness. The observations of Gall led him to regard it as a portion of the organ of Pride, and as giving to animals a love of lofty locations. Gall was nearer right than Spurzheim or Combe. The only function I find in this spot is Self-confidence. The tendencies to a quiet love of home, and the ability to tranquillize and concentrate the mind, are located, virtually, above the ear on the temporal arch, the ridge which separates the lateral from the superior surface of the head.
Destructiveness, the 5th organ of Gall and 1st of Spurzheim, was located much too high and too far forward by Gall. I am surprised at this, since it differs so widely from the indications of comparative anatomy that it is difficult to imagine how Gall was misled. Any one comparing the skull of a dog with that of a sheep may discover the error. He called it Murder, or the wish to destroy. Spurzheim, who does not describe its location, says, “At the beginning Gall placed the seat of this organ too far behind the ear, but a great number of observations convinced us that its seat is immediately above the ear.” The truth is that the convolutions which terminate on the temporal bone over the ear are only on the border of Destructiveness, and produce only an irritable and impulsive temper. The true Destructiveness extends fully an inch under the surface of the middle lobe, along the petrous ridge of the temporal bone, and is manifested externally just behind the ear by the prominence of the mastoid process.
Combativeness (the 6th of Spurzheim, or Courage and Self-defence, the 4th of Gall) is located with tolerable correctness by each and properly described.
Secretiveness, which is but a modification of Cautiousness, occupying its middle region, is much too large on the maps, and on that of Gall it is quite out of place—too far forward and too high up, occupying a region which produces modesty and refinement.
Acquisitiveness (7th of Gall, 8th of Spurzheim) is still farther mislocated on the map of Gall, occupying a region of intellectual, inventive and literary capacity. This is the most outre and absurd of all Gall’s locations. Placing this selfish and grasping propensity in the front lobe which belongs to intellect, when it really belongs to the selfish, adhesive, and combative elements of the occiput, is an error of so extravagant a character as to show that Gall had no correct psychology in his mind, and no capacity or desire to construct a harmonious system. Spurzheim’s location, much farther back, is somewhat less erroneous, but both are thoroughly false, and a few months of my first observations fifty-two years ago satisfied me as to this error. That it should have flourished unchallenged by Phrenologists for eighty years, seems to show that when a dominant idea is once established in the mind, all facts are made to conform to it. Is is remarkable, too, that the very great difference between the locations given by Gall and by Spurzheim has not attracted notice. But in fact the map of Gall has never had any popular currency. Spurzheim and Combe have been the accepted authors. The true location of acquisitiveness is anterior to combativeness, and lower than adhesiveness. Gall was misled by studying the young pickpockets and thieves of Vienna. The organ that he found suits a low cunning and dextrous character when the head lacks elevation.
Constructiveness, Spurzheim’s 9th (Bausinn, or aptitude for mechanical arts, of Gall No. 19), is decidedly mislocated by Spurzheim. Instead of being placed in the purely intellectual region adjacent to calculation, order, and system, it is carried back and down into the region of somnolence and sensitive impressibility. Gall’s location is a little worse because lower, being carried out of the intellectual region into the middle lobe according to his published map. It is very easy to detect this error in examining a number of heads, and it was quite apparent to me in my first year’s observations. In impressible persons the touch upon this locality produces nothing but a dreamy influence, and a disposition to close the eyes. Carried farther, it produces the mesmeric sleep.
Cautiousness (the 10th of both Spurzheim and Gall) was too far back in Spurzheim’s map, occupying space that belongs to adhesiveness. It runs downward along the course of the lateral convolutions, and its more timid and gloomy functions are developed near the ear, differing widely from the functions of its upper portion.
Approbativeness (the 11th of Spurzheim, and 9th of Gall) is located with substantial correctness, covering, however, more functions than that term expresses. Gall’s location and definition are also substantially correct.
Self-Esteem (the 12th of Spurzheim, 8th of Gall) is well located and described with approximative correctness.