The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-06-28

human family. Indeed, when we find the
different races Of mankind characterized by
such numerous differences of organization, it
would be matter Of surprise if no diversity
could be discovered in these mental endow-
ments. Tie description which we have given
of the negro Uranium must be considered in a
general sense, as there are honorable excep-
tions to the rule. Many have been found in
Africa according to the accounts Of travel
lers,) as well as in our own county, possess
ing strong mental eudowments.
The two next varieties are not so strongly
characterized as the three which we have al
ready considered they form indeed two inter
mediate gradations, between the European,
and muagolian on one side, and African on
the other.
In the fourth, or American variety, the
cheeks are broad, but the molar bones are
more rounded and arched than in the Mango
lian and not expanded to such an extent on
either side, nor possessing such an angular
FORM, The orbits are generally deep. The
form of the forehead and vertox is in
nuenced in many instances by the efforts
Of art. This is most strikingly evinced in the
head Of the capr, in which the upper part is
literally hattened to a level with the eye
brows, which is accredited upon the most un-
exec eptionab bic testimony. They employ diff
ferent methods # accomplishing their object,
COMPRISING the head with plates of wood,
&c, &c. For the different instruments and
bandages used for this purpose see DR.. Annie,
of Gaudaloupe. In the ffh, or Malay varie-
ty the Uranium is moderately narrowed at its
upper part; the forehead rather expanded
AMI the upper jaw slightly prominent.
We cannot deliver any very satisfactory ac-
count of the causes of these differences which
nquestionably prevail in the form of the era
MUM in the dlferC Mt varieties of the human
species much less are we able to understand
the manner in which any assigned cause may
be supposed to operat in producing its effect
1t seltainly happens in many instances, that
the bones of the skull receive peculiar form
from various artificial causes. We are in
formed by Vesalus that the Germans had q
process Of fatt,ning the head, and there can
be no doubt that, the form Of the forehead in
the Capr Uranium is owing to arliGc cial pres
sure. A similar rage for improving the shape
Of the head has been, and is still very prcva-
lent among the native American Indians
There can be no doubt tLat, acciden al de-
lormities, and those praciced by the art Of
man, may in successive generations, produce
those de(olmi les, congenira,ly, as observed
in a former lecture with reference TO the cat
and dog for it must be remembered that,
like causes produce like effects, and that in
our animal natures, we have no pre-eminence
over the animal nature Of the brute and a
much greater Susceptibility from the sympa-
thies of our nature, Of propagating deformi-
ties to our offspring. In the infantile state,
the several bones Of tie head are unattached
excepting by integumentary substance, es-
pecially the os frontis parietaiia, the occipitsl
and temporal bones, and we have long been
informed by Psychologists, that the shape Of
the head is mou ded by the inherent powers
of the brain. This being the case, pressure
upon different portions Of the Uranium, may
alter much the natural shape Of the head
without materially injuring tte fabric of that
fine structure, which places man so pre-emi-
nently above the brute. But, it is evident a
deterioration Of the mental faculties must en-
sue and from a continuation repeatedly
practiced, in the end, produce a distinct va
riety in the human species.
There are tribe of Indians in Oregon,
called Flat Heads, in consequence Of this Gus
tom, but whether practiced still upon the
young and tender skull of infancy, we arc
uncertain, the whites not having taken suf-
itient interest in the subject to ascertain. But
many tribes, both of north and south America
are distinguished by names derived from
these very practices. The word Omaguas, as
applied to nat on of Peru, as we'll as that Of
Cam5erds, in the language of Brazil, signifies
Flat Head; for these people have the strange
custom of pressing the forehead of their new
ly born children, between two plates, in order
to make them. as they say, resemble the full
moon.
We have only one remark to add on this
part of the subject; viz that the differences
in the form of the Uranium are by no means
sufficient to authorize us in assigning the DIFF,
ferent races Of mankind in which they occur,
to species originally different; for they are
not more considerable, nor even so remarka-
able, as some varieties which occur in animals
confessedly of the same species. Thus the
head Of the wild boar is widely different from
| that of the domestic MIC. AS likewise in the