THE BRAIN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2131, 6 March 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE BRAIN.

An interesting article on this subject has been published in the last number of the Revue d'Anthropologie, by Dr. Adolph IJloch. He studies the question from two points of view, dealing, in the first part of his paper, with anatomical observation, while, in the second part, he describes the (I i fie rent conditions inherent in the individual, or independent of him, which regulate the development of the intelligence. The conclusions he arrives at are as follow:— 1. There is no absolute relation between the intelligence and the volume of the brain, since very intelligent individuals may have am ill brains, while on the other hind, very ordinary persons may have large brains, as is well known. In certain races of low intellect, cases are to be met with where the brain or cerebral capacity is relatively of considerable faize. 2. The causes which lead to the brain being of larger or smaller size are numerous, since the volume of the encephalon may be in proportion to the stature or to the weight of the body, or to the muscular power of the individual. Finally, the brain proper may become voluminous in a rac° or individual proportionately. S. The most important factor in determining the degree of intclliip'nua of the individual is tho quality of the cerebral cells. That quality is constituted by the weaker or stronger impressionability or excitibility of the cerebral cell*, they being considered the substratum of the i»tellit» -nee. That iinpressonability of the cells may be nitive or acquired. The former is the mark of a superior intelligence : the litter can be produced by continued work ; it can also be produced by neurosis. 4. In a race, there are influences not dependent upon the individual, but acting upon the whole race, which contribute towards the improvement ot the intelligence and the selection of remark tble men. The nature and the degree of intelligence -ilso vary according to race, but nowhere does the volume alone of the brain constitute the principal factor of tho intelligence.— British Medicil Press.