ciples with great success for several years, is represented to have made the following statement:

"He entered into a very interesting detail of the principles by which he was guided in conducting the school under his charge. Phrenology, he said, had been useful to him in two respects. First, by affording indications of the natural talents and disposition of each individual scholar, it had facilitated his labours in a very high degree. But it is, he said, in the clear insight which phrenology gives into what ought to be the object of education, and the proper method of conducting it, that he had found its chief value to consist. It enabled teachers to carry out the fundamental principles of education with a precision which he believed could not be attained by any who are ignorant of its truths. He then alluded to the principle of sympathy, as one of supreme importance in the art of teaching—the principle, that whatever feeling, desire, propensity, &c. &c. the teacher manifests, the same will be generated in corresponding strength among his pupils. If the teacher uniformly maintains the supremacy of his own moral sentiments and intellect above his lower animal feelings, his pupils will manifest the same faculties, if, on the contrary, he indulges his animal propensities-say Combativeness and Destructiveness-his pupils cannot help manifesting the same passions."

We copy only a part of Mr. C.'s remarks. The great advantages of a thorough knowledge of mental science to an instructer, must be obvious to every reflecting mind. But until the functions of the brain are correctly understood by teachers, and the true laws, which regulate the exercise and development of the cerebral organs, are recognised and obeyed, any and every system of education must necessarily be imperfect and empirical.

Dr. Buchanan in Florida.-In our first volume, we presented several notices of the operations of this gentleman, in behalf of phrenology. Some time since, we received a letter from Dr. B., dated Pensacola, Fa., June 20th, 1839, containing the results of some observations, which must be interesting to the advocates of the science generally. Our limits prevent us from copying the entire letter, but we will give the more important extracts, and the substance of the remainder in our own remarks. Dr. Buchanan suggests the propriety and desirableness, that phrenologists, in various parts of the country, should communicate, from time to time, to this Journal, the results of their observations, and give an account of the progress and state of the science in the vicinity of their residence and operations. By this means, there would be more personal interest and unity of action among phrenologists themselves; the public would become better acquainted with the principles and progress of the science, as well as the number and character of its advocates, and, what is not unimportant, a correct and minute history of phrenology in this country would thus be transmitted to posterity. We would, therefore, solicit communications of the above character, and promise to make such a disposal of them, as, in our judgment, will best subserve the interests of the science. The letter of Dr. B. continues as follows:

"Having just returned from a pleasant excursion in Florida, I will venture to give you some desultory reminiscences of the last few months. I have found in the public mind some lingering remains of the prejudice against our science, which was once universal; but this prejudice, when it is accompanied by curiosity and mental activity, is rather beneficial than otherwise, for it increases the amount of collision, argument, and

excitement; and intellectual excitement must result in the discovery of additional truth. Phrenology is so demonstrable a science, that all who sincerely wish to discover truth-all who have sufficient strength of mind to lay aside prejudice and adopt a newly demonstrated truthare apt to become its zealous votaries whenever it is fairly brought before them. I am often asked the question among strangers, 'Do you make many converts to phrenology? My usual reply is, that I hope not, for I should regret to think that there were many in such a condition of mind as to require conversion. Surely there would be no occasion for converting, if every man took care to investigate subjects thoroughly before forming an opinion. Still, I have sometimes to witness the conversion of those who have set themselves against the truth, because they know not what it is. As far as the sphere of my operations extended, I found few indeed who did not ultimately regard phrenology as an admirable and important science. As far as I came into contact with the community, public opinion seemed decidedly favourable, and instead of finding my profession a mere subject of jest, I was frequently received with the attention and honour which are usually bestowed on politicians alone."

Dr. B. here gives some description of the Indian hostilities, and the war carried on at the present time in Florida by the Seminoles. He also gives an account of several ancient mounds, and makes the following interesting remarks respecting sorae skulls which he obtained from them:

"The heads which I obtained from these localities are mostly below the white average in point of size, and rather irregular as to the character of the developments. A few are quite good, and others extremely bad. Conscientiousness is, indeed, more frequently defective than you will ever find it among the whites. Conscientiousness and Benevolence are the organs that most frequently fail in Indian crania, while Reverence has usually a fine development. I do not recollect ever seeing an Indian head defective in Reverence. The strictness with which their traditionary laws are enforced, their reverence for the aged, and their habitual gravity and dignity of deportment, are ample illustrations of this faculty; while their treachery and broken treaties, their system of warfare and horrid massacres, illustrate well the deficiency of Benevolence and Conscientiousness. Nor can we suppose that these deficiencies are solely acquired by their mode of life. Even if they originated in that way, we know that they would be transmitted to their progeny, and thus become congenital. I observed, in the heads of children and infants, forms quite as unfavourable as in the adults.

"The heads of the chiefs appear quite superior. Coa-harjo, the chief of a band of Creeks who joined the Seminoles, came in a little more than a year ago, and was preparing to emigrate. While his band was at Walker's town, on the Apalachicola, with the United States agent, Coa-harjo was treacherously murdered by Lewis, one of the Indians of the village, and his men were soon alarmed by one of the whites, who enjoyed a salary as an interpreter, and was therefore interested in the prolongation of the war. Fearing treachery in the whites, they fled and joined the hostiles. Having obtained the skull of Coa-harjo, who was regarded as a trusty and honourable man by the whites, I found it to present a noble, and, indeed, beautiful form. The frontal and coronal regions have a predominance, and the organs of Inhabitiveness and Adhesiveness are moderate. It would be an interesting investigation to discover whether these are large in the body of Seminoles, who have so long maintained possession of Florida against our government. Had

The

Coa-harjo lived, his band would have gone with him to the west. Indian Lewis, by whom he was stabbed, lingered about home, expecting him to recover. Upon his death, Lewis was immediately, according to the Indian custom, dragged from his cabin and shot by a party who came to execute justice. The skull of Coa-harjo makes a fine contrast with that of Lewis.

"Vacca Pechassee, the old chief at Walker's town, has been dead five or six years. His skull presents large developments, and much more of Comparison, Causality, and Philoprogenitiveness, than is usual. He lived in plenty, and, I believe, took his name of Vacca Pechassee, or Master of Cows, from the number of his herds. Practical phrenologists are familiar with the influence of Philoprogenitiveness in giving us a fondness for animals. Perhaps the poor development in this organ in many Indian heads, may be one great cause of hindering their advance to civilisation. The pastoral mode of life to which Philoprogenitiveness would tend, being a common, if not necessary, intermediate step between the hunting and the agricultural stages. The skulls of Vacca Pechassee and Coa-harjo, placed among a group of ordinary Indians, would naturally suggest the idea that they were born to command,' by their general superiority."

"It is now more than three years since I suggested to Mr. Fowler that there must be some unknown organs between the intellectual and the moral. Since that time, I have seen nothing to change the opinion, but have met with as many striking illustrations of their functions as of any other faculties. My views do not very materially differ from those which he has published. The organ above Comparison I have found to give the seuse of emotion, and that above Causality, the sense of design. Both combined, give a knowledge of character, and an insight into the workings of other men's minds. Whatever theoretical objections may be found to this view, it will be found practically true. But as I have given my views upon this matter elsewhere, I shall not here repeat them. One of the greatest intriguers and shrewdest politicians in this territory, I found to have these organs large, especially that of design. Another, who stands above reproach, is an intellectual and observant man, but ĺ told him (on account of this deficiency alone) that although well calculated for business, he would suffer and probably be cheated, from his incapacity to understand and manage men. This was considered remarkably true, and well evinced in his life. Besides their utility in the study of character, these organs are necessary in giving expression, and therefore important to the actor, orator, painter, caricaturist, &c.

"In conclusion, let me call the attention of phrenologists to a mode of investigating character which has not received sufficient attention. That it should not have been urged upon us by those close observers of nature, Gall and Spurzheim, is indeed surprising. I do not at this moment recollect any passage in their writings, recommending the method to which I allude. The growth or change of the encephalic mass is always well accommodated by the osseous structure of the head. Whenever an organ declines, the deposite of bone which ensues obliterates its digital impression in the skull, and continues to follow it on inward. When an organ increases, the skull yields by absorption at the spot against which it lies, and then, by a general growth over it, accommodates the development and displays it externally. This process is continually going on as our faculties are increasing or declining. Our character is seldom left by circumstances precisely at the spot at which it was placed by nature. It is seldom that all our organs receive a sufficient and uniform degree of cultivation; hence almost every skull will

display some evidence of growth or decline. The deep digital impressions and cranial thinness over active organs, or the smooth internal surface and great thickness at the spot of inaction, will show very plainly the changes or cultivation which the character has undergone. If the skull is not opened, we can ascertain very easily, by inserting a taper* at the foramen magnum, the comparative activity of the organs. When a skull is presented me for examination in public, I do not venture to pronounce upon its character until I have tried it in this manner.

"The regions of the greatest activity will be plainly indicated by the translucency of the skull, and the total opacity of other spots will mark the extent of cerebral inactivity or atrophy. For instance, the skull of a negro woman (in my possession) who murdered her own child, and cut it open with an axe, exhibits an entire atrophy of the brain, except at the spots of Firmness, Acquisitiveness, and Destructiveness. These three sites exhibit a translucency; but at the site of the other organs, the atrophy is such as to make the skull not only thick and opaque, but the heaviest that I have ever seen. The character and the skull are equally

monstrous.

"In the skull of Coa-harjo, the organ of Conscientiousness does not show any remarkable external development, but illustrates his character by the internal proofs of its activity.

"In the head of Jesse Goodman, a degraded creature, who murdered his wife, there is an entire opacity of the superior portion of the frontal bone, showing a decline of Benevolence, Ideality, and the reflective

organs.

"In the skull of a Mexican soldier, from San Jacinto battle-field, Hope and Combativeness appear very active, and the moral organs feeble. In the head of a negro, who killed his overseer, and died without any repentance, the organs of Benevolence and Reverence appear the most inactive. In the head of another, who bore the character of a faithful and humble servant, there are plain digital impressions, and a distinct translucency at the organ of Reverence. In the head of a murderer, executed in Louisiana, there is a most unusual thickening over the moral organs, which is particularly striking at Benevolence; while in another, whom I know to have been a kind, benevolent man, there is a distinct translucency at the site of Benevolence, as well as a good development externally. The same individual was remarkable for his love of animals and pets. I do not find quite so large a development of Philoprogenitiveness as I expected; but at the situation of Philoprogenitiveness, or the occipital bone, usually the thickest part of the skull, there are two remarkable translucent spaces, showing the vigour of the organ. In the head of a French nobleman, who died in the commission of a felony, there is a poor development and general opacity of the coronal region. But it is needless to detail my illustrations. Ex uno,' &c.

"This mode of investigation is very striking to those who are unaccustomed to it, and gives to the lecturer important additional means of illustrating the science, and investing it with interest to his auditors. It is still more striking in its results. In the study of living character, the indications of the developments are assisted by pathognomony and the conduct of the individual. But in the skull we have almost as great an assistance in the indications which it gives of the activity or inactivity

"As this may smoke and burn the skull too much, it is best to insert a large glass tube with the superior extremity closed, so as to resemble a long slender cupping glass. By thrusting the taper up this, the skull will be preserved from injury.

of the faculties. We are often enabled to know precisely what were the governing powers of the individual in the latter periods of his life, and even to take a retrospective glance at his history. The external table of the skull presents us his congenital or natural character, and the internal, his ultimate or acquired one. The interval between the two, the space of transition, is the history of his life."

Phrenology in the Western States. Our science has been making very commendable progress for many years in the western states. We have numerous facts in confirmation of this statement, and shall present them, when convenient, in the Journal. Within a few months, a very interesting series of articles on the subject have appeared in the "Banner and Pioneer," a religious paper, devoted to the Baptist denomination, published at Louisville, Ky., and having an extensive circulation in the west. The articles were prepared by one of its editors, J. M. Peck, A. M., of Rock Spring, Ill., who is the author, we believe, of several publications.

In one of those papers, after some remarks on the brain, as the organ of the mind, being a fundamental principle in phrenology, he makes the following very appropriate and important observations:

"If this theory be adopted by the teacher of youth, the divine, the jurist, and the physician, a field of interesting practical application is open. The various metaphysical theories heretofore adopted must be overhauled, examined, and made to conform to this doctrine. Preachers of the gospel will have less room to build their theological speculations on abstract mind and metaphysical theories. When they think, read, converse, and preach about the soul, they will have due regard to its connection and bearing upon man's animal nature. They will endeavour to learn something about the structure and functions of the brain and the nervous system, and the different effects that different states of the brain and nerves have upon the mind. They will regard and address man, not as mere soul, or mere body, but as a complex being, possessing a bodily and mental nature, both of which are affected by religious impressions, and concerned in all moral and religious actions, yet both constituting one and the same being, called MAN. Physicians will find an interesting field of exploration, especially in reference to that class of diseases that affect mind, and they will aim to remove the unhealthy action by operating directly upon the animal economy, and restoring its functions to a healthy state.

"The jurist will find this subject has very important relations to his department, that due and proper allowance should be made in all those criminal cases where obliquity of mind and conduct evidently result from a diseased brain.

"But instructers of youth, more than all other persons, have occasion to make themselves acquainted with the relations that exist between man's material, moral, and intellectual nature, and that the whole being, in a proportionate degree, demands his attention; and that great care is necessary to preserve healthy action in the brain and nervous system, while he is aiming

"To rear the tender thought,

And teach the young idea how to shoot." "

Crania Americana.-This great work, (by S. G. Morton, M. D., of Philadelphia,) which has been many years in the way of preparation, is now published and ready for delivery. In Vol. I., page 385, of the Journal,