We have introduced this subject in the article Cerebrum, and have there laid the foundation of the present inquiry, by considering the brain as the material organ of an immaterial principle; as the instrument rather than the agent. The faculties of the soul are found only in animals which have a brain, are generally proportioned in their extent and variety to the size of the brain, are injured or destroyed by the lesion or destruction of this organ.

We find also the intellectual faculties independent of each other; and, even when they exist apparently in the same perfection in one individual, they are exercised with different degrees of activity at different times. This independence of the faculties is a position of considerable importance in Dr. Gall's system, our chief object at present; because he at once draws a consequence from it, that faculties, thus independent in their nature, arc not connected in the organ, and that the evolution of the organs is in the direct ratio of the corresponding faculties. We doubt whether the conclusion is correct; nor, indeed, do we see, if it be admitted, how the author can refuse to allow of the division of what is immaterial, a solecism in physics, or separate independent powers acting in different parts; in fact, of as many souls as there are faculties. Dr. Gall thinks, however, that the evolution of different faculties is the cause or effect of distinct protuberances of the cranium, and that the peculiar mental power of the individual may be ascertained by inspecting the skull.

With these views he has compared the skulls of animals and those of men, whose faculties are analogous or contrasted. His inquiries have, it is said, not only ascertained the facts to be hereafter mentioned, but proved that the faculties called instinctive in animals, as attachment, cunning, circumspection, etc. are found equally in man; that the bulk of the organ determines the genus, while the reciprocal proportion characterizes the individual; that the disposition to every faculty, given originally by nature, may be expanded by exercise or favourable circumstances, sometimes even by diseases; but that it can never be created, where nature has not originally given it. The accumulation of the organs, he remarks, is made in a regular manner from behind forward, and from below upward; so that animals, in their approach to man in the variety of their faculties, have the superior and anterior parts of the brain more expanded. In the most perfect animal, man, there are, in the author's opinion, organs in the anterior and superior parts of the frontal and parietal bones, destined for the faculties, which belong exclusively to him. In this view Gall's system entirely corresponds to the observations of Camper on the facial line, noticed also in the article Cerebrum; q. v.

But though we have spoken of the bulk of the brain, as distinguishing the possession of intellectual faculties in their greatest variety and extent, yet bulk alone does not more furnish the criterion of intellect, than the size of the body does that of strength. Many large unwieldy men are much weaker than those of a smaller size, whose limbs are firmly knit, and whose muscles display, by their swell, the effects of frequent and spirited exertion. A large round head, in the same way, shows a feeble intellect; while the varied bold projections of the cranium display, it is supposed, varied and active mental powers.

Dr. Gall, who first promulgated this system at Vienna, has been since travelling through Germany, to increase his collection of skulls, and to improve the nice arrangement of faculties from a view of the cranium. We lately heard of him in Saxony; where he is said by professor Boetiger, who accompanied him, to have been very successful in ascertaining the qualities of the mind by this new kind of physiognomy. He has never published his lectures; but we are led to expect a full account of his system from Dr. Bishoff and Dr. Hufeland, translated into English. We shall, however, give at present the outline, and correct or supply what may be erroneous or deficient in another article. The subject will again recur under Organology.

As a plate will render long descriptions unnecessary, we shall refer to an engraving, copied from one in the 55th volume of the Journal de Physique, for the different parts of the cranium, which designate particular qualities of mind; and shall here add a few of the singular, and sometimes, we think, trifling or ridiculous observations by which Dr. Gall endeavours to establish his system. A system-builder will often stoop very low for assistance in support of his fabric.

In conformity with his opinions, before hinted at, he considers the medulla oblongata as the seat of the organ of the tenacity of life. The bulk of this part is proportional to the size of the occipital hole; and he finds it larger in women than in men, proportionally very large in the cat, the beaver, the weasel, etc.

The organ of lasciviousness is, in his opinion, at the basis of the skull, behind the medulla oblongata. It is only conspicuous about the age of puberty, and in castrated animals is never observed. In the ape, the rabbit, and the cock, this part of the skull is very large. It is peculiarly large in pigeons and sparrows, so as almost to form an epiphysis; and, in some human skulls of idiots distinguished for lasciviousness, this part was very protuberant.

The organ of attachment is peculiarly large in spaniels, and less visible in greyhounds.

The organ of courage, contiguous to those of "parental affection and attachment,"explains, in our author's opinion, the exertions of courage from animals and human beings, in defence of their young or their particular friends. This organ is very inconsiderable in the hare, the sheep, and the greyhound; but very conspicuous in the hyena, the lion, the wolf, and particularly in the bulldog. Mr. Gall adduces as a proof of the existence of the organ of courage, the coward, when affrighted, "scratching the back part of his head behind his ears, as if he wished to excite its action!!"

The organ of cunning is nearly connected with that of pillage. We mean not to be ludicrous when we add, that our author found it in poets (Journal de Physique, vol. lv. p. 206, note). It is very conspicuous in the heads of Calmucs, in foxes, cats, pies, etc.

The organ of the sense of locality constitutes, with respect to places formerly seen, local memory; with respect to future objects, combinations of new localities. This organ is particularly conspicuous in birds of passage, in landscape painters, and in the skull of the great Frederick. It is fainter from age. The frontal sinus enlarges inwardly, and diminishes this portion of the brain.

The organ of the sense for collecting or remembering facts is subject to a similar change from age. Among animals, it is chiefly conspicuous in the elephant. "Among men (we now employ Dr. Gall's own words) I have found this organ not only in those who have a retentive memory for facts and things, but in those who have what are called systematic heads; who arrange their facts, and draw conclusions from them: in those who possess a quick perception, and are distinguished by an anxiety of knowing every thing. It even appears that the operation of combining facts, to draw conclusions from them, is the chief action of this organ: at least the elephant, who conceals the water in his trunk, to pour on the person who offended him the day before, arranges many facts, and draws from them a truly logical conclusion; nor is there any other organ in the elephant's head to which we can refer this power. The involuntary motion of a man, who perceives that he has reasoned incorrectly, supports these suppositions strikes the middle of his forehead."

The organ of painting and the distinction of colours gall has found in many great painters, and has particularly noticed it in a head of Raphael.

The organ of the musical sense and articulate sounds is very distinguishable in singing birds, in the jay and parrot; but does not exist in those whose notes are harsh and inharmonious. He found it very conspicuous in the heads of Gluck, Mozart, Haydn, and Pleyel. The organ of verbal memory is distinguished by remarkable projections of the eyes.

The organ of liberality lessens as a man grows old: in fact, he then becomes avaricious. It is very near the organ of painting and music; and this, he thinks, is the reason why men of such talents are generally prodigal. We wish he could have examined the head of Gainsborough!

The organ of the metaphysical spirit is found in the heads of the ancient philosophers, particularly Socrates; among the moderns in Kant.

The organ of goodness forms that oblong elevation found constantly in the heads of Christ and the Virgin, painted by Raphael and Corregio; and contributes to convey the ideas of gentleness and goodness, which arc so attractive. It is found in the skulls of all who are naturally good, and is wanting in those who are wicked. Animals of prey have no vestige of this organ.

The organ of music and of theatrical talents Gall has found in all the great singers and actors. In those who are born deaf, and are consequently dumb, it is very conspicuous; as they are obliged to depend on gestures for the conveyance of their ideas.

The organ of religious veneration is on the top of the frontal bone; and it is this, observes M. Gall, which has probably induced all races of mankind to look for their divinities in the superior regions, since "there is no philosophical reason why we should not place them below as well as above ourselves."

The organs described by Dr. Gall are thirty -three in number, which the plate, with the explanations, will point out. These are some of the most singular of his remarks; and from them our readers may form a judgment of his abilities, and the probability of his system.