gy and
Vivisection are admitted, and we perceive the limited extent of the
uncertain results of Craniology? Shall we not be compelled to resort
to the same methods of investigation in the brain, which have been so
successful in establishing the physiology of the nerves, viz.: direct
experiment in exciting and arresting the action of the various masses
of nervous fibre. Every sound physiologist must perceive that we are
compelled to resort to experiment, or else to rest contented in
ignorance of the true cerebral physiology. Muller, perceiving this,
remarks, "The principle for the advancement of the physiology of the
nerves then remains the same, viz.: experiment on the living nerves."

We therefore experiment on the living brain in that class of persons
who are susceptible of being thus influenced; hence arises the last
and most perfect method of cultivating Anthropology, by means of HUMAN
IMPRESSIBILITY.

Our system of Anthropology relies, for its demonstration, upon human
impressibility. Impressibility in its general sense, or the power of
being affected by external agents, is proportional to the development
of life. Inorganic matter is affected only mechanically or
chemically--vegetation is powerfully affected by causes which would
have no perceptible influence on stones or metals, and animals are
affected by remote objects, by sounds, by the voice, and by other
influences which do not affect vegetables. Animals of a higher grade
are affected by many moral influences which produce no effect on the
inferior classes, and man, having the fullest development of all, is
continually receiving a variety of influences from nature and society,
to which animals are wholly insensible. As man is superior to animals
in impressibility, so is the man of genius or the man of superior
moral sentiments more easily affected by everything that addresses the
intellect or the sentiments, than the ignorant and selfish classes of
society. Superior impressibility is then the result of a superior
development of the organs which feel the various impressions. In the
highest order of genius capacities exist which recognize a thousand
subtle influences and beauties in Nature of which common minds are
unconscious, and the psychic influence of a human being is instantly
and thoroughly recognized.

For the purpose of analytical experiments upon the human functions, we
require the development of a faculty which shall feel the influences
we use. W