The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-03-16
BRAIN AND INTELLECT.
The Size of the One Does Not Always In
dictate the Strength of the Other.

guished men has been organized in the
hope OF solving some of the problems
connected with the physical basis OF
mentality. Each member OF the So
ciety bequeaths his brains to the ex-
perts appointed to conduct the autopsy,
and the fullest information available is
transmitted to the society. 1t is hoped
to substitute fixed principles for the
rough and inaccurate estimates formed
by weighing the brains of distinguished
or notorious men. An example of the
inaccuracy of the latter method of in
vestigation is shown in the fact recent
Gen. Butler weighed within a few
ounces of that of the great anatomist
Cuvier (whose brain is the heaviest yet
examined) and considerably more than
than of Daniel Webster, who, in spite
of grave abuses of his physical powers,
died with heavier brain than had
been recorded of any other American
This result is what might have been
expected. To compare Wcbster's brain,
worn out with physical excuses, to one
who died in the full vigor of intellectu-
ality. is equally fal acious. The one
was but ruin of a magnificent palace,
the other the perfectly appointed castle.
Gall and Spurghcim nearly n century
ago laid the foundation of what is
known as phrenology. OF course the
modern practice ofltbe art, IL such 1t
may be called, is almost devoid of any
scientific basis. Nevertheless ono OF
the theories which the original investi-
cation worked out has been Endorsed
by all Psychologists. This is in brief
that certain sections Of the brain have
definite and distinct functions in MAX
ing up the totality which the old
writer's called the ego. For example
there is a certain section of the brain,
definitely located, which controls the
power of speech, and so accurately is
this now mapped out that the sections
controlling spoken speech and written
speech-the knowledge of meaning
gained by sound and that gained by
sight-the part which has for its func
ton the formulation of written signs
| and that which controls certain CO.
ordinate muscular movements which
result in speaking or writing-are
fairly well determined. 1t is when
it is attempted to determine the
power of these separate functions
by the Irregularities of the out
side of the bony case which covers
these wonderful structures, and espe-
cially when it is attempted to formulate
the exact situation of moral and higher
mental qualities that phrenology Ia
mentally fails.
Yet even here there is basis of
reason for the so-called science. A
right-handed man has almost newt
ably larger development of the left
side of his skull than of the right
side, and certain general tendencies
are revealed by the skull, as they
are by the countenance. The error
consists in laying down an absolute
law which shall cover all cases This
error is repeated when it is attempted
to measure mentality by mere weight
of nervous tissue. Not long ago two
brothers, both members of the society
mentioned died in Philadelphia. One
was DIR. Joseph Leidy, one of the most
distinguished anatomists and natural
lists in the world. The younger was
DIR. Philip Leidy, a well-known, but
not prominent physician. Both were
men of high mentality, but in their
lives no one thought of comparing the
mental force of the younger to that of
the elder brother, yet the brain of the
younger brother was heavier than was
the brain of the elder, and it is stated
by the experts who examined both that
it appeared to be more perfectly devel-
oped.
The truth is that there appear to be
no physical tests by which mental,
much less moral gifts, can be deter
mined. The functions of the brain and
nervous system in general are far more
complex than the earlier psychologists
dreamed of There are no longer five
senses, for the sense of touch has been
divided and sub.divided, and there are,
it is well known, certain other so-called
unconscious senses which regulate the
heat-production and tissue-produc-
ton of the body and the proper
working of the various organs
The brain is still believed to be
the seat of mentality pure and
simple, but no one of great scientific
attainments has dared to locate the
seat of such function as memory, for
example, or sought to determine the
particular convolution which presides
over the will The truth appears to be
that all the various factors of the
nervous system, including brain, spinal
cord and isolated ganglia, combine in
these greater functions, and that it is
the totality of nervous energy which
we recognize as the will and the totality
of nervous conservation which we call
memory.
There certainly can be no definite re-
lation between the weight of the brain
and mental power any more than there
is between the weight of a horse and
the physical power which the animal is
able to exert 1t may be conceded that
there is a general relation and that the
man of the largest brain is usually the
wisest just as the horse of greatest
weight is usually the strongest, but no
definite or positive assertion can be
made in one case any more than in the
other. What is known of the relation
between the nervous system and men
tally is infinitesimal compared to what
10 ,,olypovvp and conventions va+ 70