force by
_physical_ exercise. Fig. 89 represents the skull of a man who died, at
nearly the same age as Loper, of consumption, in the Charity Hospital,
at New Orleans. The measurement of the skull in this case gives a space
between the life-line and the orifice of the ear of one-sixteenth of an
inch, showing that the consumptive had lived the full term of his life.
Dr. Powell contended that the depth of a man's brain may be increased
after maturity; muscular effort, mental activity, and a sense of
responsibility being favorable to longevity, while idleness and
dissipation are adverse to it. In justice to the Doctor, we have stated
fully his theory and his method of determining the hardihood and
endurance of the constitution, and we bespeak for it a candid
examination. Without doubt it embodies a great deal of truth. Hereafter
we shall endeavor to indicate by cerebral configuration, a better system
of judging of the vital tenacity, hardihood, and constitutional
energies, both inherited and acquired.
THE VOLITIVE TEMPERAMENT.
By reference to Figs. 72 and 80, the reader will be able to locate the
region of the volitive faculties, previously described under the generic
term _will_. This temperament is characterized by ambition, energy,
industry, perseverance, decision, vigilance, self-control, arrogance,
love of power, firmness, and hardihood. These faculties express
concentration of purpose and their functional equivalents are power of
elaboration, constructiveness, condensation, firmness of fiber,
compactness of frame, and endurance of organization. The pulse is full,
firm, and regular, the muscles are strong and well marked, the hair and
skin dark, the temporal region is not broadly developed, the face is
angular, its lines denoting both power of purpose and strength of
constitution, with resolution and hardihood blended in the expression.
The volitive temperament is distinguished by height of the posterior,
superior occipital region, called the crown of the back head, and by
corresponding breadth from side to side. The rule given by Dr. J.R.
Buchanan applies not only to the convolutions, but to the general
development of the brain; _length gives power, or range of action_, and
_breadth gives copiousness, or activity of manifestation_. Thus a high,
_narrow_ back head indicates firmness and decision, but it is not as
constant and copious in its manifestation as when it is associated with
breadth. An individual ha
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