. Animal physiology. Physiology, Comparative; Physiology, Comparative. 540 SIZE OF THE BRAIN. FACIAL ANGLE. even in comparing together different Men, we shall find the same rule to hold good, when due allowance has been made for the comparative activity of their general functions, such as is ex- pressed by the word temperament. Thus, two men having brains of the same size and general conformation, may differ greatly in mental vigour, because the general system of one performs its functions much more actively and energetically than that of the other. For the same reason, a man of small brain, b
. Animal physiology. Physiology, Comparative; Physiology, Comparative. 540 SIZE OF THE BRAIN. FACIAL ANGLE. even in comparing together different Men, we shall find the same rule to hold good, when due allowance has been made for the comparative activity of their general functions, such as is ex- pressed by the word temperament. Thus, two men having brains of the same size and general conformation, may differ greatly in mental vigour, because the general system of one performs its functions much more actively and energetically than that of the other. For the same reason, a man of small brain, but whose general habit is active, may have a more powerful mind than another whose brain is much larger, but whose system is inert, his perceptions dull, and his movements languid. But of two men alike in this respect, and having the same general configura- tion of head, it cannot be doubted that the one with the larger brain will surpass the other. It is a striking fact, that almost all those persons who have been eminent for the amount of their acquirements, or for the influence they have obtained by their talents for command, over their fellow-men, have had large brains; this was the case, for example, with Newton, Cuvier, and Napoleon. 719. The size of the brain, and especially of its anterior lobes (which seem particularly connected with the higher reasoning powers), as compared with that of the face, may be estimated pretty correctly by the measurement of the facial angle; as proposed by Camper, an eminent Dutch naturalist. This is done by drawing a horizontal line (c d, Figs. 276 and 277), between a the entrance to the ear, and the floor of the cavity of the nose, so as to pass in the direction of the base of the skull; this is met by another line {a 6), which passes from the most prominent part of the forehead to the front of the upper jaw. It is evi- dent that this last will be more in- Fig. 276—Skull of European. clme(j t() the former, SO as to make a more acute ang
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