The Illustrated Self-Instructor in Phrenology and PhysiologyFowler, O. S. (Orson Squire)
Science
The Illustrated Self-Instructor in Phrenology and Physiology
Fowler, O. S. (Orson Squire)
Phrenology
Matter, in its primeval state, was "without form, and void," or gaseous,
but slowly condensing, it solidified or CRYSTALLIZED into minerals and
rocks--and all rocks and minerals are crystalline--which, decomposed by
sun and air, form soil, and finally assume organic, or animal and
vegetable forms. All crystals assume _angular_ forms, and all vegetables
and animals those more or less _spherical_, as seeds, fruits, etc., in
proportion as they are lower or higher in the creative scale; though other
conditions sometimes modify this result.
Nature also manifests certain types of character in and by corresponding
types of form. Thus all trees bear a general resemblance to all other
trees in growth and general character, and also in shape; and those most
nearly allied in character approximate in shape, as pine, hemlock, firs,
etc., while every tree of a given kind is shaped like all others of that
kind, in bark, limb, leaf, and fruit. So all grains, grasses, fruits, and
every bear, horse, elephant, and human being bear a close resemblance to
all others of its kind, both in character and configuration, and on this
resemblance all scientific classification is based. And, since this
general correspondence exists between all the divisions and subdivisions
into classes, genera, and species of nature's works, of course the
resemblance is perfect between _all the details_ of outward forms and
inward mental characteristics; for this law, seen to govern nature in the
outline, must of course govern her in all her minutest details; so that
every existing outward shape is but the mirrored reflection of its inner
likeness. Moreover, since nature always clothes like mentalities in like
shapes, as oak, pine, apple, and other trees, and all lions, sheep, fish,
etc., in other general types of form, of course the more nearly any two
beings approximate to each other in mental disposition, do they resemble
each other in shape. Thus, not only do tiger form and character always
accompany each other, but leopards, panthers, cats, and all feline
species resemble this tiger shape more or less closely, according as their
dispositions approach or depart from his; and monkeys approach nearer to
the human shape, and also mentality, than any other animal except
orang-outangs, which are still more human both in shape and character, and
form the connecting link between man and brute. How absolute and
universal, therefore, the correspondence, both in general outline and
minute detail, between shape and character. Hence the shape of all things
becomes a sure index of its mentality.
4.--RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN HUMAN AND ANIMAL PHYSIOGNOMY AND CHARACTER.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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