infliction of injuries is not the way to determine the functions of any, even its least important parts.

The great size of the cerebellum, however, the circumstance of its lateral portions not bearing the same relation to the middle part in all animals, and also the results of some late experiments, have suggested the notion that it may not be a single organ, but that, although Amativeness is unquestionably connected with the largest portion of it, other functions may be connected by the other parts. This seems not improbable, but as we have no direct evidence in proof of the fact, or in illustration of the nature of these supposed functions, it is unnecessary to do more than announce the proposition as one worthy of investigation.

Mr SCOTT, in an excellent essay on the influence of this propensity on the higher sentiments and intellect *, observes, that it has been regarded by some individuals, as almost synonymous with pollution; and the notion has been entertained, that it cannot be even approached without defilement. This mistake has arisen, from attention being directed too exclusively to the abuses of the propensity. Like every thing that forms part of the system of nature, it bears the stamp of wisdom and excellence in itself, although liable to abuse. It exerts a quiet but effectual influence in the general intercourse between the sexes, giving rise in each to a sort of kindly interest in all that concerns the other. This disposition to mutual kindness between the sexes does not arise from Benevolence or Adhesiveness, or any other sentiment or propensity alone; because, if such were its sources, it would have an equal effect in the intercourse of the individuals of each sex among themselves, which it has not. "In this quiet and unobtrusive state of the feeling," says Mr SCOTT, "there is nothing in the least gross or offensive to the most sensitive delicacy. So far the contrary, that the want of some feeling of this sort

• Phrenological Journal, No. vii. p. 392

is regarded, wherever it appears, as a very palpable defect, and a most unamiable trait in the character. It softens all the proud, irascible, and antisocial principles of our nature, in every thing which regards that sex which is the object of it; and it increases the activity and force of all the kindly and benevolent affections. This explains many facts which appear in the mutual regards of the sexes towards each other. Men are, generally speaking, more generous and kind, more benevolent and charitable, towards women, than they are to men, or than women are to one another." This faculty also inspires the poet and dramatist in compositions on the passion of Love; and it exerts a very powerful influence over human conduct. Dr SPURZHEIM observes, that individuals in whom this organ is very large, ought not to be dedicated to the profession of religion, in countries where chastity for life is required of the clergy.

The abuses of this propensity are the sources of innumerable evils in life; and, as the organ and feeling exist, and produce an influence on the mind, independently of external communication, Dr SPURZHEIM suggests the propriety of instructing young persons in the consequences of its improper indulgence, as preferable to keeping them in “ a state of ignorance that may provoke a fatal curiosity, compromising in the end their own and their descendants' bodily and mental constitution."

The organ is established,

2.-PHILOPROGENITIVENESS.

THE attachment of the inferior animals to their young has often been the subject of admiration. In them it is attributed to instinct. Instinct means an original propensity, impelling the animal endowed with it to act in a certain way, without intention or purpose. Is the attachment of

human beings to offspring, the consequence of a similar innate feeling, or is it the result of reason, or a modification of benevolence, or of other feelings? That it does not spring from reflection is abundantly evident. Reason only investigates causes and effects, and decides on a comparison of facts. The mother, while she smiles with ineffable joy on her tender offspring, does not argue herself into the delightful emotion. The excitement is instantaneous; the object requires only to be presented to her eye or imagination, and the whole impetus of parental love stirs the mind. Hence a feeling or propensity is obviously the basis of the affection. It is not a modification of any other sentiment, but an original propensity; for, on going into society, we find, that the Love of Offspring bears no perceptible proportion to any other feeling or faculty of the mind. If it depended on Benevolence, no selfish individual should be ardently attached to offspring; and yet the opposite is frequently the fact. If it were a modification of mere SelfLove, as some have supposed, then parental affection should be weak, in proportion as generosity was strong; but this theory also is contradicted by experience. Neither do we find Love of Offspring bear a definite relation to intellectual endowment. Sometimes a woman of limited understanding loves her children ardently; occasionally another equally weak is indifferent towards them. Some highly intellectual women add maternal affection to their other virtues; while others, not less acute in understanding, look on offspring as a burden. There are, therefore, the strongest reasons for holding it to be a primitive tendency of the mind; and phrenological observations coincide with this conclusion.

The organ is situated immediately above the middle part of the cerebellum, and corresponds to the protuberance of the occiput. Dr GALL gives the following account of its discovery. In the course of his observations he had remarked, that, in the human race, the upper part of the occiput is in general more prominent in the female skull than in the male;

and inferred, that the part of the brain beneath was the organ of some feeling which is stronger in women than in men. But the question presented itself, What is this quality? During several years various conjectures occurred to him, which he successively adopted and rejected; and he frequently stated to his pupils the embarrassment he felt upon the subject. He remarked at last, that, in this particular point, the crania of monkeys bore a singular resemblance to those of women,—and concluded, that the cerebral part placed immediately under the prominence, was probably the organ of some quality or faculty, for which the monkey tribes and women were distinguished in a remarkable degree. He was led the more to entertain this idea, because, from the discoveries he had already made in this region, he was aware that he was not to look for the seat of any superior intellectual or moral faculty. He repeatedly revolved in his mind all the feelings manifested by the monkey tribe, so far as known to him. At last, in one of those favourable moments, when a lucky thought sometimes does more to elicit truth than years of labour and reflection, it suddenly occurred to him, in the midst of a lecture, that one of the most remarkable characteristics of monkeys, is an extreme ardour of affection for their young. This quality had been noticed in them by the most distinguished naturalists; and persons who have resided in countries where monkeys are common, have also observed it, and remarked, that it led them to bestow caresses even on the young of the human species, especially Negro children, when these were so unlucky as to fall in their way. The thought flashed upon his mind that this might be the feeling or quality of which he was in search. Impatient to put this conclusion to the test, by a comparison of all the male with the female skulls of animals in his extensive collection, he begged his hearers to go away, and leave him to his researches;-and on this examination he found, that there existed, in fact, the same difference between the male and female skull of the lower animals in general, which he had observed between the male

and the female skull in the human species. This seemed a confirmation of the idea, that the quality of which this cerebral part is the organ, is that of affection for offspringwhich, he had already remarked, was possessed in a greater degree by the females of the animal tribes, than by the males. The inference appeared to him more plausible, from the circumstance, that this organ was placed in close vicinity to that of the instinct of propagation. Many subsequent observations established the conclusion *.

The faculty produces the instinctive love of offspring and delight in children.

The feeling is beautifully represented in the following lines of Lord Byron :

ADAH.

Where were then the joys,

The mother's joys of watching, nourishing,

And loving him? Soft! He awakes. Sweet Enoch.

(She goes to the child.)

Oh Cain! Look on him; see how full of life,

Of strength, of bloom, of beauty, and of joy.

How like to me,—how like to thee, when gentle,
For then we are all alike: is't not so, CAIN?
Mother, and Sire, and Son, our features are

Reflected in each other.

Look! how he laughs, and stretches out his arms,
And opens wide his blue eyes upon thine,

To hail his father; while his little form

Flutters as wing'd with joy. Talk not of pain!
The childless cherubs well might envy thee
The pleasures of a parent! Bless him, CAIN,
As yet he hath no words to thank thee, but
His heart will, and thine own too.

Cain, Act III. Scene 1.

The organ may be verified in the easiest manner by any person who chooses to observe nature. It is one of the most conspicuous and easily distinguished in the head, particularly in the human species; and the manifestations may be recognised with equal facility. Those who possess the

GALL Sur les Fonctions du Cerveau. Edit. 1823. vol. iii.-Phren. Journ. vol. ii. p. 23.