animals, when it shall have included them in its researches. To attempt this at present is premature, and comports perfectly with the uniform injustice the science has sustained from the measures of its opponents. On this ground, therefore, we might, without being chargeable with shrinking from the contest, have declined replying to our author's objections drawn from the mental phenomena of insects. Phrenology is answerable only for what it has done, or attempted to do, not for what it has not done or attempted. The gentleman's remarks on insects and spiders, therefore, which he has made and bruited with such an air of triumph, and seems to think so withering to our science, are out of joint and quite innocent certainly they injure nothing but his own reputation and that of his philosophy.

ARTICLE V.

ADDRESS BY THE EDINBURGH SOCIETY FOR AIDING IN THE GENERAL DIFFUSION OF SCIFNCE.

IN 1832, an Association, consisting chiefly of persons engaged in trade and manufactures, was formed in Edinburgh, for the purpose of procuring lectures, at convenient hours, on various branches of useful and entertaining knowledge, and particularly on the natural sciences. The objects aimed at by that association (which is now termed the Edinburgh Philosophical Association), were, that the lectures should be delivered in the evening after business hours; that they should be accessible to females; and that, by procuring a large attendance, admission should be afforded to individuals at a very moderate price.

A fundamental principle hitherto acted on by the Philosophical Association has been, that the entire management of its affairs should be vested in directors chosen from among the members, and consequently belonging to that class of the people for whose benefit the lectures are instituted. The great advantage of this arrangement is the superior success with which both the subjects and the lectures can be selected and varied to suit the wants of the auditors. Each of the directors having the means of ascertaining, by extensive communication with his own circle of acquaintances, both the effect produced by the respective lecturers, and the degree of interest excited by the subject, they, guided by the information thus obtained, select, annually, in October, such branches of science as they have been led to think may prove useful and attractive, and they engage such lecturers as are supposed to be capable of conveying in

struction most successfully. In 1832-3, the following subjects were treated of by the lecturers whose names are annexed :

CHEMISTRY-Dr Murray.

PHRENOLOGY-Mr Combe.

In 1833-4:—

GEOLOGY-Dr Murray.

BOTANY-Dr Drummond.

NATURAL PHILOSOPHY-Mr George Lees, A. M.
ASTRONOMY-Rev. Thomas Gray.

PHYSIOLOGY and ZOOLOGY-Mr W. A. F. Browne, Surgeon.

In 1834-5:

PHRENOLOGY-Mr Combe.

LAWS OF THE ANIMAL ECONOMY-Dr Allen Thomson. In 1835-6:

CHEMISTRY-Dr Fyfe.

ASTRONOMY and GEOLOGY-Rev. J. P. Nichol.
MORAL PHILOSOPHY-Mr Combe.

So completely have the results borne out the excellence of the leading principle above mentioned, that, during last winter, in consequence of the increased attendance, the lectures were delivered in the largest Waterloo Room, to an audience of upwards of six hundred individuals of both sexes.

The directors of the Philosophical Association have published several able and instructive addresses, which have been widely circulated; and the newspaper press has extensively reported their proceedings. The inspiriting example and success of that Association, combined with a general desire in the public mind for information, have naturally led to the institution of a number of provincial associations, essentially similar to that of Edinburgh in their constituent elements and objects, and from which numerous applications have been received by the lecturers and others connected with it for advice and assistance in the general direction of their efforts, and especially in procuring through them the services of able and qualified lecturers. Unfortunately, however, from the very limited means possessed by individuals of making known their wants and enlisting others in the cause, few of these applications have been entirely successful; for although it is believed that many young men may be found who possess the talents and information necessary to enable them to lecture with success, yet, from there having hitherto been no general demand for such talent, very few individuals have adopted lecturing to popular audiences as a profession.

At the same time, it is certain that an extensive demand for instructors of this kind has arisen, and there is every reason to believe that it will be permanent, and increase. The good which may be accomplished by means of scientific lectures delivered to popular audiences in a luminous style, with the requisite illustrations, is incalculable; and any means which can

be adopted to advance it, must contribute to the ultimate advantage of the nation.

Impressed with the importance of facilitating in every possible way the attainment of the objects which these associations have in view, and believing that a central society to serve as a medium of communication between them and lecturers would be eminently useful for this purpose, a number of gentlemen of Edinburgh, many of them connected with the business of public instruction, have formed themselves into a society for the purpose of aiding provincial associations in procuring qualified lecturers; and they now announce their object and rules of action to the public.

Approving of the principle which has hitherto been acted on by the Edinburgh Philosophical Association-that the demand for instruction, as well as the arrangements for obtaining it, should emanate from the people themselves-they have resolved that "they shall not send forth teachers or lecturers, nor publish books or tracts, nor provide apparatus, on their own account, or at their own expense; but that their object shall be limited to aiding local associations by advice and influence in procuring lecturers, books, and apparatus," and in selecting useful and interesting subjects for the lectures.

The plan of their proceedings is the following:

They invite provincial associations which may be desirous of obtaining their assistance, to communicate to them through their secretary the following information.

1. The name of the Association, with the names and addresses of the office-bearers.

2. The number of members of whom the Association consists. 3. The accommodation, in the form of lecture-rooms and apparatus, which they possess, or can command.

4. The subjects, and the particular days and hours, for which they wish to procure lecturers.

5. The remuneration which they can afford to pay to lecturers for their services, with any other particulars which may affect the terms of an arrangement; especially any circumstances likely to affect in a peculiar manner a lecturer's expenses in travelling to and residing in the locality of the Association.

They likewise invite persons willing to become lecturers to inform them regarding the subjects they may be prepared to undertake, and such other particulars as may facilitate arrangements with the parties interested.

The society will meet on the first Monday of every month, or oftener, if required, and will use means to make the demands communicated to them known to the class of persons who may feel an interest in supplying them. As some of the members have had experience in public teaching, the society will be glad

to communicate the results of the experience of those members both to associations and to candidates for employment as lecturers. They will also use every means in their power to ascertain the qualifications of lecturers before recommending them. In short, the society will endeavour to form a medium of communication between the parties who want instruction, and those who may be willing to impart it. The labours of this association shall be entirely gratuitous. They will confine their exertions strictly to the sphere of useful and entertaining science, and to the duty of bringing provincial associations into communication with properly qualified teachers, for the advantage and accommodation of both parties. They will at all times be ready, moreover, to offer such advice in regard to the subjects and modes of instruction as their own experience shall enable them to suggest.

The office-bearers elected at the first meeting, held on 21st December 1835, are—

William Murray, Esq. of Henderland,

John Robison, Esq. Sec. R. S. Ed.

George Combe, Esq.

Sir George S. Mackenzie, Bart.
Sir Henry Jardine.

Patrick Neill, Esq. LL. D., F.R.S.E., &c.
Dr D. B. Reid, Lecturer on Chemistry,
Dr W. Gregory, Lecturer on Chemistry,
George Lees, Esq. A. M., Lecturer on
Natural Philosophy,

The Rev. J. P. Nichol, Lecturer on Na-
tural Philosophy,

Dr Andrew Combe, F.R.C.P.
Robert Cox,

President. Vice Presidents.

Council.

Acting Committee of Consulta tion and Examination.

Secretary and Treasurer.

For obvious reasons, all communications to the secretary must be post-paid, otherwise they will not be received; and they ought to be addressed thus: "Robert Cox, Secretary to the Society for aiding in the General Diffusion of Science, 23 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh." Communications ought to be in the secretary's hands about a week before the meeting at which they are to be considered, in order that he may announce to the members what business will on each occasion be submitted to them.

ARTICLE VI.

ANATOMICAL REPORT ON THE SKULL OF DR SPURZHEIM; read before the Boston Phrenological Society. By NATHANIEL B. SHURTLEFF, M. D.*

HAVING been appointed a committee on the skull of our la mented friend Spurzheim-the anatomist who, by dissecting From the Annals of Phrenology, vol. ii. p. 72. The cut on p. 41. is added by ourselves.ED. P. J.

*

the brain, first displayed to the eye its fibrous and ganglionary structure, and demonstrated the direction and connection of its filaments the discoverer of many of the relations existing between the spiritual faculties of the mind and their material cerebral instruments-the philosopher who, by the greatness of his own mind, raised craniology and physiognomy to the ethical science, Phrenology,-I offer with diffidence the following report, fearing that it is unworthy of its subject, and less minute and extended than may have been wished.

Deeming the mental characteristics of this distinguished man well known, I shall not advert to them, but shall confine myself as strictly as possible to an anatomical description of such parts of the cranium as seem to have a phrenological bearing, or, in other words, which immediately enclose the encephalon. To others, more experienced in cranioscopical taxis, is left the opportunity of determining the exact form and size of the development of the different individual portions of the cerebral mass. Adhering to the phrenological mottores non verba quæso,' I shall merely state facts, and leave others to draw their own conclusions.

It is well known that the skull of Dr Spurzheim received the funeral honours which were bestowed upon his other remains, and that it was the intention of his Boston friends to deposit it in the grave with his body.* This last intention was never carried into effect, it having been subsequently understood that such interment would violate an often expressed wish of Dr Spurzheim. On this subject, his friend, George Combe, Esq. of Edinburgh, the distinguished writer on Phrenology, says, in a letter to Mr Capen, "The whole conduct of your countrymen towards him (Dr Spurzheim) was excellent. In one particular only would a knowledge of Dr Spurzheim's own wish have made an alteration. I have often heard him say, 'When I die, I hope they will not bury my skull: it will prove what my dispositions were, and afford the best answer to my calumniators. Dr Gall expressed a similar wish in regard to his own, when he returned to Cuvier a skull which that great naturalist had sent, with the message that it appeared to him to confirm his (Gall's) doctrine of the physiology of the brain' • Take back that skull,' said the then dying philosopher to Cuvier's messenger, and tell Cuvier that there is now only ONE wanting to complete my collection; it is MY OWN; it will soon be there, as a powerful testimony of the truth of my doctrine.'

6

Dr S. lies buried on the most conspicuous mound in the cemetery at Mount Auburn, under a beautiful monument, exquisitely carved from a block of Italian marble, by European artists, in imitation of the tomb of the Scipios. The word 'SPURZHEIM' cut upon the stone in Roman capitals; though a simple inscription, speaks more eloquently than could any laboured epitaph. This beautiful monument is enclosed by an elliptical iron fence, and was erected by the munificence of Wm. Sturgis, Esq. of this city.