The author, being unaware that Instinct is really a general term for expressing the cerebral functions of animals, and, mutatis mutandis, in some measure synonymous with the mental faculties of mankind, does not sufficiently distinguish between three very different things-the innate powers (feelings, propensities, capacities, &c.) of animals, their varying degrees of strength, and their special directions. The innate powers of each race of animals are always the same in kind; but they vary much in degree in the different individuals of the same race, and their direction varies according to external circumstances. This may be illustrated familiarly, by reference to an endowment which is more obviously physical. The muscles of every dog are essentially of the same nature, and have the same relative positions, but they differ widely in their size and strength in individuals; and they are directed to different uses by man. The feeling of Cautiousness exists, both in the domesticated and in the wild duck. Each has it, but in very different degrees of strength. Each also possesses the propensities to take food, to propagate, and to form attachments; but different external circumstances in the domestic duck modify the direction of its propensities. Hence it readily takes as food what the wild duck rejects, and becomes polygamous instead of monogamous. Nevertheless, the innate feelings or propensities are still there, unaltered in kind, though varied in strength and changed in direction. Physiologists have ascertained that these feelings or propensities depend entirely upon the organization of the brain; and since that organization becomes changed accordingly as the feelings or propensities are much or little called into activity, the state of domestication causes physical differences in the brains of ducks and other animals. The offspring usually represents its parent; and thus, in the common order of nature, these physical differences are transmitted by hereditary descent. The second generation consequently starts with an organic frame, including the brain, slightly different from that which is observed in the wild individuals. Continued domesticity causes still further changes; and the third generation is produced yet further removed from the wild type. When this course is continued through a long series of descents, the departure from the wild type is so great, that it becomes a very difficult matter to say how the domestic breeds originated. The wild stocks from which our dogs and cats have descended are undetermined by naturalists; and we may almost say the same thing of the horse and sheep. As the degree, and (to some extent) the direction of the instincts, or innate powers, are determined by the condition of the brain, the changed condition, induced in a long series of descents, is accompanied by a corresponding change in the comparative strength, and the direction of these instincts. Whether they be called innate powers,

feelings, propensities, or capacities, is a matter of indifference. Sir John Sebright is doubtless well acquainted with the influence of hereditary descent over the bodies of animals; and in saying that their instincts depend upon a certain part of their bodies, namely, the brain, he will be at no loss to understand many points which must at present appear to him altogether inexplicable. We will now apply this explanation to the author's instance of the duck. In the wild individuals their natural timidity is perpetually called into action; and the part of the brain on which this feeling depends is kept up to the condition best adapted for manifesting timidity. The offspring of the wild animal is consequently boru, or hatched, a timid animal, and will be liable to panic; but if a few descents be reared in captivity, and terrified as little as possible, the later descendants will gradually acquire the ease and confidence of the domestic duck. They will become domestic ducks. It is, in short, the changed condition of brain, in domestic animals, which gives rise to the instinctive differences between them and the first captives of the species, however young the latter may be taken, be it even in the egg. We have not agreed with Sir John Sebright in adopting Paley's definition of Instinct, namely, a propensity previous to experience, and independent of instruction." It is merely a verbal paraphrase, and involves an incorrect idea. A propensity, if innate, must be essentially the same power both before and after experience or instruction; and innate it must be, otherwise it could not precede experience. It would be ridiculous to say that instinct impelled a bird to build its nest the first time, but that some other cause impelled it to build the second time. Sir John is too good an observer not to see that Paley's definition led him into difficulties. He is perfectly correct in suggesting that national character in part depends upon changes hereditarily transmitted; but it is not the "acquired habits" that " become hereditary." It is the changed brain that becomes hereditary; and the habits accord with the state of the brain. Human beings are subjects of the same physiological laws as the lower animals.

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Thoughts on Phrenology; being a Brief Dissertation on the Principles and Progress, and Tendency of that Science. By J. C. James. London: Effingham Wilson. 1836. 18mo, Pp. 58.

in the name.

This "literary first-born" of its author is properly described It is less an exposition of Phrenology per se than of the manner in which the author's mind is affected by the subject. The style of expression is light and pleasing, and often graceful. There is no pretension to profound views or to novelty of ideas; but the book reads agreeably, and the remarks are usually correct and judicious. Many young persons might

reap advantage and amusement from perusal of the "Thoughts." The chief fault is a proneness to overleap difficulties, and to represent every thing as smooth and perfect; a kind of fault which ought to be sedulously avoided in every science, and particularly in Phrenology. For example, it is going rather too far to say, that "the separate state" of each particular phrenological organ may be demonstrated by dissection; that the surface of the brain is exactly represented on the outer table of the skull; that there is an "invariable coincidence of power of faculty and prominence of bone;" and that phrenologists can thereby predict character with "infallible precision." Neither should we seek to prevent the ill consequences apprehended from an organ being too large, by "restraining every exercise of the organ;" nor attempt to improve a small organ, by the "incessant exercise" of it. Either course would tend to injure health, and the means would ultimately be found to prevent the desired end. Neither, again, can our laws be so framed as to make an "effectual application of punishment, by adapting it, in every case, to individual organisation." Much might be done in adapting remedial measures to individual peculiarities; but while society inflicts punishments, the inflictions must be made by general rules. Excepting these and a few other instances, where the author substitutes the ideal for the real, we are pleased with his little work.

What is Phrenology? Its Evidence and Principles familiarly considered. By Edwin Saunders. 2d edition. London: H. Renshaw. 1835. 18mo, Pp. 56.

The question "What is Phrenology?" one might have supposed to be answered by any elementary treatise; but a second edition of Mr Saunders's work would imply it to afford a good saleable title. The book itself is passable enough. There are some worse, and several better expositions of the science. Errors it certainly has, though not very numerous; and they are in a part of the work where errors ought not to exist, namely, in describing the functions of the organs individually. These errors are not very weighty, but should be amended if a third edition happen to be called for. They usually arise from referring to one single organ, the manifestations of several combined. Thus, cowardice and ti midity are first said to be the "result" of a small development of Combativeness. Three pages further, we are more correctly told that large Cautiousness produces timidity. We do not see how a quality of mind, produced by one organ, can be the result of another. Secretiveness, moderately developed, is said to give prudence, and, when large, illiberality in communicating informa tion. It has little to do either with prudence or illiberality, unless when it is called into exercise as a means of accomplishing these ends. Severity is said to be the characteristic of Firmness. The author would have been nearer truth by substituting Destructiveness.

Cours de Phrenologie.

Par F. J. V. Broussais, Membre de l'Institut, Professeur à la Faculté de Médecine de Paris, &c. &c. Paris and London: J. B. Baillière, 1836. 8vo. pp. 850.

Lectures on Phrenology, delivered in 1836, in the University of Paris, by

M. Broussais, Professor of General Pathology in the Faculty of Medicine. Reported in the Lancet from 25th June to 17th September 1836.

Reports of these lectures were taken down in short-hand, and, after being revised by Dr Broussais, have been published in a volume. Apparently it was a translation of the same reports which appeared during last summer in the "Lancet." The attendance at the lectures was extremely numerous, and the publication of them cannot fail to be gratifying to the phrenologists both of France and of Britain. We have perused the reports with great pleasure, and shall take an early opportunity of making their contents known to our readers. Dr Broussais throws out many original and important suggestions. He says, "I can assure you, gentlemen, that I have not taken up the defence of Phrenology without long reflection,-without being supported by numerous observations in evidence of its truth. I first collected a large body of facts, and became a partisan of the doctrine when the evidence I possessed became irresistible."

The Quarterly Review, No. 113. September 1826. Article VIII. On Phrenology.

Phrenology Vindicated: Being a Reply to the Quarterly Review, &c. With Introductory Observations on Phrenology in general. By Joshua Toulmin Smith of Lincoln's Inn, Esquire, &c. London: Longman and Co. 8vo. 1836.

The Quarterly has performed a great feat in the number for September. It has reviewed the fifth edition of Mr Combe's "Outlines of Phrenology," consisting of 33 pages of 8vo print; and because it has not found in these 33 pages a complete exposition of the whole principles, doctrines, and proofs of the science, it has, with its usual oracular dogmatism and self-complacency, arrived at the conclusion that it has overturned the entire fabric founded by Dr Gall, and improved by his followers. We intended in this number to enter into the merits of its arguments; but the great length to which other articles of a more important. character have extended prevents us from doing so. We should have chiefly placed quotations from Mr Combe's "Elements” and "System" in juxtaposition with the objections stated by the reviewer; and shewn that he needed only to have extended his reading to have escaped from the difficulties with which-apparently much to his own satisfaction-he felt himself beset. Mr Smith, however, has saved us from the necessity of doing do. He dis

cusses fully the arguments of the reviewer, and answers them-in some instances, indeed, at greater length, and with more warmth, than the objections seem to us to have called for. We recommend Mr Smith's pamphlet to such of our readers as have felt any force in the objections of the Reviewer. In our present number we have already introduced the author to our readers in a review of his work on the Philosophy of the Ancients. He is evidently an elegant scholar and amiable philanthropist. He has shewn a very considerable acquaintance with Phrenology, and a just estimate of its importance. We therefore hail him with much pleasure as a valuable auxiliary in its cause.

Selections from the Phrenological Journal: Comprising forty Articles in the first five volumes. Chiefly by George Combe, James Simpson, and Dr Andrew Combe. Edited by Robert Cox. Maclachlan & Stewart, and John Anderson jun., Edinburgh; Simpkin, Marshall & Co. London. 12mo, pp. 360. 1836.

The contents of this volume are of a miscellaneous nature. Each paper has been carefully revised, and in most instances the name of the author is now published. "In making the selection, the editor has endeavoured so to diversify the subjects treated of, as to shew, in a forcible manner, the extensive appli cations of which Phrenology is susceptible to human affairs." Among the articles reprinted are papers by Mr Combe on the Scolding of Juries, the Application of Phrenology to Criticism in the fine Arts, Glasgow Bridewell, the Study of Logic and Moral Philosophy, the Advantages of Education, &c.; by Mr Simpson, on Ventriloquism, Spectral Illusions, Juvenile Acting, Eloquence, Dancing, Armorial Mottos, Mr Wood's School, and the Characters of Voltaire and Cromwell; and by Dr Combe, on the Temperaments, the Causes and Cure of Stammering, the Seat and Nature of Hypochondriasis, and the question, Does Phrenology afford a satisfactory explanation of the Moral and Intellectual Faculties of Man?

MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES.

EDINBURGH. Mr Combe is this winter lecturing on Phrenology to a class of Medical Students, in Dr Mackintosh's Medical School, Argyle Square,

The following office-bearers of the Edinburgh Ethical Society for the Study and Practical Application of Phrenology, were elected on 18th November:-W. B. Hodgson, and John Mackenzie, President; Andrew Brash, Secretary; Thomas Moffatt, Treasurer; George Cruikshank, Librarian; Alex ander Ireland, William Brown, William Nichol, Dr Abram Cox, and Sidney Smith, Councillors. The papers read during the last two Sessions are the following:-Nov. 13. 1835. Mr Brash read Observations on the Classification of the Mental Faculties, and Mr R. Cox read Objections to Dr Spurz.