ARTICLE V.

Crania Americana; or a Comparative View of the Skulls of various Aboriginal Nations of North and South America: to which is prefixed an Essay on the varieties of the Human Species; illustrated by seventy-eight plates and a coloured map. By SAMUEL GEORGE MORTON, M. D., Professor of Anatomy in the Medical Department of Pennsylvania College, at Philadelphia; Member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, of the American Philosophical Society, of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, of the Boston Society of Natural History, &c. &c.

The above title will convey to the reader some idea of the nature and character of this great work. It is not our present object to present a critical or extended review of its contents; having given, in Vol. I. page 385 of this Journal, a minute description of the general plan and design of the work, and also another notice of it in Vol. II. page 143, to each of which we would refer the reader. From an inspection of the plates, and some portions of the work, we did not then hesitate to speak of its value in the highest terms, and a thorough examination of its contents has now fully satisfied us of the correctness of our previous impressions.

The publication of the Crania Americana will constitute an interesting and important era in the science of anthropology. It differs essentially, in many respects, from any other work ever presented to the public on natural history. Philosophers and historians have hitherto generally studied the nature of man, and described his characteristics, without sufficiently considering his physical organisation, and the intimate and necessary connection of this, with the manifestations of mind. The consequence is, that most of the accounts recorded in history of the peculiar distinctive mental qualities of individuals, families, and nations, are, in their details, vague, indefinite, and unsatisfactory. This remark is true, not only in reference to the above class of writers, but applies with almost equal force to those who have devoted their attention more exclusively to studying man's physical structure and organisation. It is true, the labours of Blumenbach, Buffon, Cuvier, and others, have greatly added to our knowledge of the natural history of man, and of the varied exhibitions of his character in different ages and nations; but how little light have all their observations and researches thrown upon his mental qualities? While metaphysicians, guided by their own individual consciousness, have written volumes on the faculties or operations of mind, converting it into an abstract and speculative science,

naturalists have prosecuted their labours, comparatively ignorant, and certainly regardless, of the powerful influence of physical organisation over mind. Though, in many instances, they have been quite minute and precise in describing the complexion and general features of the face, yet they have almost invariably omitted any account of the relative size, or particular configuration of the cranium. And there is not a single instance in which they have ever given us the necessary data, from which correct inferences on this subject can be drawn. Blumenbach made some approximation to this, in his great work "DECADES COLLECTIONIS SUE CRANIORUM DIVersarium GENTIUM ILLUSTRATE." And perhaps it may not be out of place, here, to give some little account of this celebrated work, as it constitutes the only extensive collection of drawings of human crania which has ever been presented to the public, prior to Dr. Morton's.

The decades of Blumenbach came out in separate parts or fasciculi, which were in the course of publication during the space of forty years. The whole work contains about seventy plates, or drawings, of skulls; some few are drawn as large as life, but most of the drawings are evidently far below the natural size; and, at all events, there is such a want of accuracy and the requisite explanations, that no correct comparison can be instituted between these representations and the general size of the heads of nations or races to which they respectively belonged. Besides, we have no measurements whatever accompanying these plates; we know nothing concerning the internal capacity of the entire, or particular parts of the skulls here represented, nor of their diameters as taken in different directions. And though the author has recorded full and vivid descriptions of the general features and physical peculiarities of the different tribes or races represented in his work, yet he has not given us the least information concerning the relative size, or particular configuration of their crania. Not one word has he uttered illustrative of any coincidence or dissimilarity between the characters of individuals or races, and the size and shape of their crania, nor of the causes, uses, or consequences, of the physical differences in the skulls which are so well portrayed in his plates. The consequence is, these drawings of Blumenbach have never received much attention, and are almost valueless compared to what they might have been, had they been accompanied with proper measurements and descriptions. For it must be obvious to every reflecting mind, that illustrations of crania can rise in interest and value, only in proportion as the true physiology of the brain is understood and appreciated. It is not known how well Blumenbach was acquainted with the great truths unfolded by phrenology, concerning the functions of the brain,

or in what light he viewed these discoveries, but this is certain, he once attended Dr. Gall's lectures in Germany, and could not possibly have been ignorant of his works on what was then called cranioscopy. But while Blumenbach has made no reference or allusion whatever to this subject, (and from what motives or reasons, we will not pretend to say,) he has not presented a single fact or statement in opposition to the discoveries of Gall. Whatever, therefore, may have been the private opinion of this distinguished physiologist, is a matter of no moment. Still, it is greatly to be regretted that he did not accompany his drawings of skulls with some data or measurements, from which others might deduce correct and important inferences, and thus turn this celebrated work to a far more valuable account than can possibly now be done.

But the author of the Crania Americana has pursued a very different course from Blumenbach. While it has not been his object to prove or advocate the principles of phrenology, he has not failed to give us descriptions of character and tables of measurements, which must render the volume invaluable to the student of mental science. The whole work may be considered in its design, nature, and character, as chiefly a contribution to the natural history of man, and to the science of anatomy in particular; but as it is strictly a treatise, professing to give accurate descriptions of the peculiar characters of certain portions of the human family, in connection with illustrations and measurements or their crania, it may be supposed to have important bearings on phrenology, to some of which we will now invite the reader's attention.

In the dedication of the Crania Americana (to John S. Phillips, Esq., who had rendered the author important services in preparing the measurements, &c.) we find this statement:-"It may, perhaps, be thought by some readers, that these details are unnecessarily minute, especially in the phrenological table; and again, others would have preferred a work conducted throughout on phrenological principles. In this study, I am yet a learner; and it appeared to me the wiser plan to present the facts unbiased by the theory, and let the reader draw his own conclusions. You and I have long admitted the fundamental principles of phrenology, viz. that the brain is the organ of the mind, and that its different parts perform different functions; but we have been slow to acknowledge the details of cranioscopy, as taught by Dr. Gall, and supported and extended by subsequent observers. We have not, however, neglected this branch of inquiry, but have endeavoured to examine it in connection with numerous facts, which can only be fully appreciated when they come to be compared with similar measurements derived from the other

races of men. Yet I am free to acknowledge, that there is a singular harmony between the mental character of the Indian and his cranial developements, as explained by phrenology." Here we have the author's candid and explicit opinion on the science; it needs no comment. The phrenological tables mentioned above, we shall refer to after noticing other portions of the work.

The Crania Americana opens with an "Introductory Essay on the varieties of the Human Species." This is decidedly the most critical and philosophical production on the natural history of man, which has ever appeared in this country. Our limits will not permit us here to enter into a minute analysis or description of it; but, at the same time, we cannot refrain from referring to two or three peculiarities which distinguish this essay from all other writings on the subject, and which, in our opinion, greatly enhances its value. In the first place, the descriptions of the different races and families of men are drawn more in accordance with the true and distinctive elements of their nature-particularly with reference to mind-than what can be found in any other work on anthropology. In the second place, there is such a description of the size and configuration of the skull, as to render the delineations of character far more interesting and valuable. And though the coincidences between the two may not be strictly phrenological in every particular, yet no one acquainted with the general principles of the science can fail to perceive that a most striking harmony exists between the descriptions of the skull and the character given. As specimens on this point, we make the following quotations:

In describing the five different races, the author uses this language: 1. The Caucasian, or European race.-"The skull is large and oval, and its anterior portion full and elevated. *** This race is distinguished for the facility with which it attains the highest intellectual endowments." 2. The Mongolian race." The skull is oblong-oval, somewhat flattened at the sides, with a low forehead. * * * In their intellectual character, the Mongolians are ingenious, imitative, and highly susceptible of cultivation." 3. The Malay race." The skull is high and squared or rounded, and the forehead low and broad. * * * This race is active and ingenious, and possesses all the habits of a migratory, predaceous, and maritime people." 4. The American race." The skull is small, wide between the parietal protuberances, prominent at the vertex, and flat on the occiput.

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In their mental character, the Americans (or Indians) are averse to cultivation, slow in acquiring knowledge, restless, revengeful, and fond of war, and wholly destitute of maritime adventure." 5. The Ethiopian race.-"The head is long and narrow, the forehead low,

the cheek bones prominent, the jaws projecting, and the chin small. *** In disposition, the negro is joyous, flexible, and indolent; while the many nations which compose this race, present a singular diversity of intellectual character, of which the far extreme is the lowest grade of humanity." It should be remembered, that these descriptions are general, and apply to the several races as a whole, while there may be a great diversity in the character as well as in the size and shape of the skull, among the different individuals and nations composing each race.

As the Crania Americana will probably fall into the hands of few of our readers, and it contains valuable facts on this subject, being the fruits of great labour and research, we are induced to enrich our pages with other extracts similar to the above. We cannot now point out their connection with, or bearings on, phrenology, though we may refer to them hereafter; in the mean time, some of our readers may, perhaps, turn them to a valuable account. The quotations which we make, will refer particularly to the description of the skull; our limits prevent us making copious extracts in relation to character.

The author of this essay, following the classification of Blumenbach, considers each of the races under the head of distinct groups or families, making in all twenty-two divisions. In the description of the Germanic family, we find this account:-"The head is large and spheroidal, the forehead broad and arched. * * * The moral character of the German is marked by decided personal courage, great endurance of fatigue, firmness, and perseverance, and a strong attachment to their families and their native land. Intellectually, they are conspicuous for industry and success in the acquisition of knowledge; with a singular blending of taciturnity and enthusiasm, they rival all modern nations in music, poetry, and the drama; nor are they less conspicuous for their critical attainments in language and the exact sciences." In describing the Celtic family, the author says "They have the head rather elongated, and the forehead narrow and but slightly arched. * * In disposition, they are frank, generous, and grateful; yet quick-tempered, pugnacious, and brave to a proverb."

The Nilotic family include the modern and ancient Egyptians. A writer, quoted by the author, says of the former-"Their heads are a fine oval, the forehead of moderate size, not high, but generally prominent." In alluding to the ancient Egyptians, the author makes this statement-"Their heads were formed as in the Hindoo, thus differing from the Caucasian only in being somewhat smaller in proportion to the body, and having a narrower and less elevated fore