PREFACE.

THOUGH the sun of science has dawned upon Geology, Agriculture, Mechanism, Chemistry, Botany, Conchology, Natural History, Astronomy, Physiology, and Phrenology, enlightening what was before obscure, and shedding on man a flood of happiness, alike in their acquisition and application, yet the most important of all, PARENTAGE, and the means of thereby improving our rACE, remain enshrouded in comparative darkness. How long shall this species of ignorance be tolerated, and even fostered! How long shall man continue his researches and discoveries in these minor matters, yet leave this by far the richest field of philosophy and human improvement, almost unoccupied?

We investigate and apply its principles to the improvement of stock, yet its far higher application to the improvement of humanity is almost wholly neglected. But has not the time fully come for collecting and disseminating that knowledge on this vitally important subject, which shall enable parents to bestow on offspring personal beauty, physical stamina, muscular strength, and, above all, high intellectual and moral endowments?

That the physical and mental capabilities of mankind are INNATE, not created by education-have a CONSTITUTIONAL character inherited from parents, instead of being a blank on which education and circumstances write ALL they contain-will be fully shown in this volume. It is penned to aid prospective parents in making choice of such partners as shall secure a healthy, talented, and virtuous progeny, by expounding, in the light of classified facts, those LAWS which govern this department of nature.

To enlist public attention, and guide inquiry in this

cause of God and humanity, till vicious pre-dispositions shall be superceded by virtuous, and a far higher order of human beings shall fill the earth and enjoy its bounties-the feasible and natural result of our proposed inquiries have engaged the author's intellect, and warmed his soul, in the prosecution of this "labor of love."

In its compilation, FACTS have been his motto, and the principles of Phrenology and Physiology-these sciences of MAN-his analytical crucible. Without all three united, no one, however learned or talented, can do this subject justice. Though Walker has said some clever things concerning the transmission of physical qualities among animals, yet he is sadly at fault in the matter of MENTAL transmission as applicable to man— the main point of utility—or, rather, gropes in darkness. But a Phrenologist, especially a PRACTITIONER, besides possessing a nomenclature and analysis of the mental powers incomparably superior to all others, can also trace clearly, and read legibly, both resemblances and differences existing between parents and their children, by means of their phrenological DEVELOPMENTS, which can be correctly estimated by this means, but by no others.

The extensive professional practice of the author, for almost a quarter of a century, throughout the Union and Canada, and his access to foreigners from all parts of the world, as well as to many sources of facts unknown to others, and, especially, his having been called to examine together, professionally, parents and their children by scores of thousands, so that he could see at once wherein and how far each child resembled each parent, and the like, have given him just the MATERIAL required for prosecuting those inquiries to which this volume— the work of many years-is devoted. All these converging facilities have been treasured up and laid under contribution-with what success it is left for his readers. to judge—in the prosecution of this arduous undertaking.

EXPLANATION OF THE SMALL RAISED FIGURES.

EACH general principle proved, point presented, and subject treated, in this work, has been introduced by an appropriate head, and NUMBERED, so that subsequent inferences dependent on them can be enforced by specific reference to them. This reference is made by small figures, elevated above the lines, called SUPeriors, and found throughout the work. The utility of connecting and fortifying subsequent points by those previously demonstrated, so as to secure all the advantages of circumlocution and copious repetition, without any of its disadvantages, or even defacing the page, is apparent, and will be appreciated, at least, by the thorough, thoughtful reader, who would comprehend the bearings of each principle presented on all the others, and thus grasp and digest the work as a whole. The author flatters himself that this original device will find favor with the reading public.

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For a kindred reason, his other works, similarly numbered, have, in like manner, been referred to. Thus, 17 refers to the seventeenth paragraph of "PHYSIOLOGY, ANIMAL AND MENTAL;" to this numbered head in "SELF-CULTURE;" M 510 to the five hundred and tenth head of "MEMORY-Applied to Intellectual Improvement and Juvenile Education;" m 413 to this number of "MATERNITY;" My to "MATRIMONY;" and " to "WOMAN." The author's writings will thus form a connected SERIES, which will be found more interesting and profitable if read in CONNECTION with each other, than separately; yet each can be as fully understood without such reference, as if it had not been made.

W