THE PERCEPTIVE QUALITIES
The eighth group is known as the Perceptive Qualities, composed of the
following particular Qualities, respectively: _Observation_; _Form_
_Size_; _Weight_; _Color_; _Order_; _Calculation_; _Tune_; _Time_;
_Locality_; _Eventuality_, and _Words_. This group manifests outer form
in the lower part of the forehead, in the region of the eye. (See Fig.
9.) When large this group often gives to the upper forehead the
appearance of "retreating" or sloping backward. Prof. O. S. Fowler says
of the appearance of those Qualities which manifest outer form _under_
the eyebrows: "The following rule for observing their size obviates the
objection sometimes urged that the eyebrows and their arches prevent the
correct diagnosis of these smaller organs crowded so thickly together.
The rule is: _The shape of the eyebrows_ reveals the size, absolute and
relative, of each, thus: When _all_ are large, the eyebrow is long and
arching; when all are deficient, it is short and straight; when some
are large and others small, it arches over the large ones, but passes
horizontally over those which are small. This rule is infallible." The
other Qualities of the group, according to Prof. Sizer, "is located
above the eyes, and ... constitute about one-third of the depth of the
forehead, beginning at the arch of the eye."
[Illustration: FIG. 9 THE PERCEPTIVE QUALITIES]
OBSERVATION. This Quality was given the name of "Individuality" by the
early phrenologists, but this term is considered misleading, owing to
the later usage of that term. It manifests in a strong desire to
observe, see, examine, inspect, and "know" the things of the objective
life. Those in whom it is largely developed feel the insatiable urge of
the inquisitive spirit; they desire to investigate everything coming
under their notice. Many little details in the objects or subjects in
which they are interested are noticed by them, while overlooked by the
majority of people.
Prof. Sizer says of it that it "gives a recognition of things and the
special points and facts of subjects; quickness of observation is an
important element in the acquisition of knowledge.... Those in whom it
is large are eager to see all that may be seen, and nothing escapes
their attention. It opens the door for the action of all the other
perceptive organs.... They are quick to notice everything that is
presented to the eye; and it goes farther, and enables us to recognize
that which we touch, or sounds we hear. The rattling strokes of a drum
are distinct noises, and each is an individuality."
Prof. O. S. Fowler, says: "It is adapted, and adapts men to the
divisibility of matter, or that natural attribute which allows it to be
subdivided indefinitely. Yet each division maintains a personal
existence. It thus puts man in relation and contact with a world full of
things for his inspection, as well as excites in him an insatiable
desire to examine everything. It is therefore the _looking_ faculty. Its
distinctive office is to observe things. It asks: 'What is this?' and
says, 'Show me that!'... Before we can know the uses, properties,
causes, etc., of things, we must first know that such things _exist_,
and of this Observation informs us."
This Quality is largely involved in the process of Attention. It usually
manifests in the form of _involuntary attention_, that is, attention to
interesting things. But, under the influence of the will, with Firmness
large, it manifests _voluntary attention_, or attention or study of
objects not interesting in themselves, but which it is important to
study and know. It is largely developed in children and undeveloped
adults in the phase of curiosity or desire to observe _new_ things. In
adults, of developed minds, it manifests as attention to things of
_material interest_ and important subjects or objects of study. This
Quality is the master of its associated Qualities in this group, and is
involved in all of their activities.
It manifests outer form in the middle of the lower part of the forehead,
between the inner ends of the eyebrows, and above the top of the
nose--"just above the root of the nose," in fact. Prof. O. S. Fowler
says: "When it is large, the eyebrows flex downward at their nasal ends,
and the lower part of the forehead projects. When it is deficient, the
eyebrows are straight at their inner ends, and come close together" (See
group figure).
FORM. This Quality manifests in a cognizance, appreciation, and
recollection of the _form and shape_ of objects observed. Those in whom
it is large most readily perceive, recognize and remember details of
form and shape, faces, etc. It manifests outer form between, and
slightly above, the eyes, on each side of Observation (see group
figure). When large it tends to push the eyes apart and outward. Sizer
says: "The width between the eyes is the indication of its
development.... When small the eyes are nearer together, which gives a
pinched expression to that part of the face; when the organ is large,
the eyes appear to be separated, pushing away from the root of the nose.
Distinguished artists have the eyes widely separated." Audobon said of
Bewick, an eminent English wood-engraver, "His eyes were placed farther
apart than those of any man I have ever seen."
SIZE. This Quality manifests in a cognizance, appreciation, and
recollection of the size and _magnitude_ of objects observed. Those in
whom it is large most readily perceive, recognize and remember the size,
dimensions, proportion, distance, height and depth, quantity, bulk of
things. It manifests outer form on each side of Observation, but a
little lower down (see group figure), in the angle formed by the root of
the nose and arch of the eyebrows. Prof. O. S. Fowler says: "In
proportion as it is large it causes the inner portion of the eyebrows to
project over the inner portions of the eyes, quite like the eaves of a
house, forming a shed over the inner portion of each eye."
WEIGHT. This Quality manifests in a cognizance, appreciation, and
recollection of _weight_, _balance and gravity_ of things. Those in
whom it is large most readily perceive, recognize, and remember the
weight of things; and also things out of balance or plumb. These people
seem to have the faculty of balancing themselves nicely, and keeping
their feet on a slippery surface, on a tight-rope, etc., and often walk
with a swinging, free motion, indicating a sense of balance and
security. This Quality manifests under the eyebrows, next to Size, about
a half inch from the upper part of the nose, rising somewhat above the
inner part of the eyeball and the bridge of the nose. Prof. O. S. Fowler
says: "Draw a perpendicular line from the centre of each eye up to the
eyebrow; Weight is _internally_, and Color _externally_ of this line
under the eyebrows."
COLOR. This Quality manifests in a cognizance, appreciation, and
recollection of the color, hue, shade, and tint of things. Those in whom
it is large most readily perceive, recognize and remember the colors,
shadings, blendings and combination of tints, and to compare, match and
harmonize colors instinctively. It manifests outer form under the
eyebrows, just back of Weight (see rule for finding, in last paragraph),
and occupies the space directly under the centre of the arch of the
eyebrows (see group figure). When largely developed it gives an upward
and forward arch to the eyebrows.
ORDER. This Quality manifests in a cognizance, appreciation, and
recollection of _order_, _method and arrangement_. Those in whom it is
large most readily perceive, recognize, and remember the order and
sequence in which objects appear or are arranged. They are very
methodical, precise, and pay attention to details of arrangement and
system. They "have a place for everything," and like to "keep
everything in its place." In business they are "strong on system,"
sometimes overdoing it. They are also fond of rules, laws, customs, and
codes, and adhere strictly thereto. They like everything pigeon-holed,
labelled, or else fenced in and off from every other thing. Are also
great disciplinarians. This Quality manifests outer form next to Color,
and beneath the junction of the bony ridges (on the sides of the head)
and the eyebrows, (see group figure). Prof. O. S. Fowler says: "When
very large it forms an arch, almost an angle, in the eyebrows at this
point, accompanied by its projection or hanging over.... When small, the
eyebrows at this point retire, and are straight and flat, wanting that
arched projection given by large Order." Combe says: "Its large
development produces a square appearance at the external angle of the
lower part of the forehead."
CALCULATION. This Quality manifests in a cognizance, appreciation, and
recollection of _number_, _figures_, _calculations_, _etc._ Those in
whom it is largely developed most readily perceive, recognize, and
remember anything concerned with the _number_ of things, or
calculations based thereon. They are natural arithmeticians and
mathematicians. Calculation comes easy to them, and in cases of high
development they may be said to "think mathematically." This Quality
manifests outer form next to Order, and under the outer ends of the
eyebrows (see group figure).
Prof. O. S. Fowler, says: "It elongates the ends of the eyebrows
laterally, and flexes them horizontally in proportion as it is
developed, yet when deficient the eyebrow is left short externally, does
not project beyond the eye, and terminates running _downwards_." Gall
says: "Its convolution is a continuation of the lowest convolution of
Tune, and is placed on the most external part of the orbital plate, in a
furrow running from before backwards. When it is very large it depresses
the external part of the plate, so that the superorbital arch is
irregular, except in its internal part; its external line representing a
straight line, which descends obliquely. Hence the external part of the
eyelid is depressed, and conceals the corresponding part of the eye."
TUNE. This Quality manifests in a cognizance, appreciation, and
recollection of _tune_, _music_, _harmony_, _melody_, etc. Those in whom
it is large most readily perceive, recognize, and remember all connected
with the subject of Music. It is the musical sense, taste and faculty.
Its characteristics are too well-known to require elaboration. It
manifests outer form in the lateral and lower part of the forehead,
above Order and Calculation, in front of Constructiveness, and back of
Time (see group figure). Prof. O. S. Fowler says: "When large it fills
out the lower, frontal portions of the temples.... Still, being located
in a kind of corner ... and the temporal muscle passing over it, its
position varies somewhat, which renders observation more difficult,
except in the heads of children, in whom it is generally larger than in
adults."
TIME. This Quality manifests in a cognizance, appreciation, and
recollection of _time_, _duration_, _rhythm_, _etc._ Those in whom it is
large most readily perceive, recognize, and remember all connected with
the flight of time, dates, duration, periodicity, chronology, etc.
Spurzheim says of it that it, "perceives the duration, simultaneousness,
and succession of phenomena." It may be called "the time sense" which is
so apparent in some persons, and so noticeable by reason of its absence
in others. It manifests outer form above Color and Weight, in front of
Tune, and back of Locality (see group figure).
LOCALITY. This Quality manifests in a cognizance, appreciation, and
recollection of _places_, _positions_, _locations_, _directions_, etc.
Those in whom it is large most readily perceive, recognize, and remember
places, directions, positions, land-marks, points-of-the compass, roads,
paths, streets, and other things having to do with _space_. Such persons
are never "lost" nor confused as to direction or locality; they have an
almost instinctive "sense of direction." It is the geographical or
traveller's sense. It is found large in the majority of travellers,
sailors, civil engineers, etc. Persons in whom it is large can find
themselves about a strange city without trouble, and will remember old
scenes, places, locations for years. Those in whom it is weak
frequently "get lost," or mixed up regarding place, position and
direction.
It manifests outer form over Size and Weight, or about three-quarters of
an inch above the inner half of the eyebrows, and runs upwards and
outwards (see group figure). It is said to have been immensely developed
and apparent in Capt. Cook, the eminent explorer, and the portraits of
Columbus and other great explorers and travellers show a distinct
enlargement of this locality. Gall, who discovered the location of this
Quality, took casts of the heads of noted explorers and travellers, and
others manifesting the "sense of place and direction," and upon
comparing them, "found in them all, in the region directly over the
eyes, two large prominences, which began just inside the root of the
nose, and ascended obliquely upwards and outwards as far as the middle
of the forehead." Dr. Caldwell states that, "Daniel Boone who was
perpetually going from one place to another, was the most celebrated
hunter and woodsman of his age, and possessed this organ in a degree of
development so bold and prominent that it deformed his face."
EVENTUALITY. This Quality manifests in a cognizance appreciation and
recollection of _facts_, _events_, _happenings_, _occurrences_, _news_,
_etc._ Those in whom it is large most readily perceive, recognize and
remember striking events, facts, doings, occurrences--in short, _news_.
Such persons have the "nose for news" which is so important to the
newspaper man, scientific investigator, researcher in any line, and
general investigator. It is the "historical faculty," and the
"journalistic sense," as well as an important part of the "scientific
instinct." These people make good witnesses, story tellers, and
entertainers. They know "what is going on," and are the people to go to
when one wishes to "hear the news," or to learn the past history of
anything or anybody.
This Quality manifests outer form in the centre of the forehead,
immediately above Observation, and in front of Locality (see group
figure). When large it tends to "fill out" the middle of the forehead.
Prof. O. S. Fowler says: "It sometimes seems deficient, because the
surrounding organs are large, whereas close inspection shows it to be
large. Steady the head with the left hand, and place the second finger
of the right in the very centre of the forehead, firmly on the head, and
then work the skin horizontally. If your finger caresses an up-and-down
ridge about the size of a pipe-stem, this faculty is vigorous, and has
been much used and strengthened by culture of late years. Where it is
not noticeably full, but has been taxed by business or literary
pursuits, or had a great many little things to do for years, it appears
deficient to the eye, but the rule just given for this perpendicular
pipe-stem ridge signifies great activity and vigor in it." (See group
figure.)
WORDS. This Quality manifests in a cognizance, appreciation and
recollection of _words_, _terms_, _phrases_, _etc._, and their meanings.
Those in whom it is large most readily perceive, recognize and remember
the words, expressions, gestures and other modes of communication
between the minds of men, and are proficient not only in perceiving and
understanding them, but also in employing and using them. It is the
taste, power, and ability to receive verbal Impressions and to manifest
verbal Expression. It produces the orator, and the adept in the use of
words in writing. To those persons in whom it is largely developed,
words take on life and reality, and become living thought. In excess, it
produces verbosity, talkativeness, and "windiness" of expression. When
deficient, it renders one unable to properly express himself. It
manifests outer form above and partly behind the superorbital plates,
which form the roof of the sockets of the eyes, and when large tends to
press the eyes forward and downward. Its location was discovered by
Gall, who observed that those fluent in the use of words almost always
had _full and prominent eyes, and_ _prominent under eye-lids_. The
fullness of the eyes and lower eyelids, therefore, is its distinguishing
mark.
Professor O. S. Fowler says: "See how the eyes stand out beyond the
cheekbone--the best standard points from which to estimate its size,
because, though it may be large, yet the Perceptives may be still
larger, in which case the latter will project forward still farther even
beyond large Expression. (Words). Hence the fullness of the eyes should
not be compared with the eyebrows as much as _with the bone below them_,
which not being subject to kindred mutations, forms a correct measuring
point of observation." The pressure outward of the under eyelids, is a
good sign of the development of this Quality. It may be objected to that
Quality of Words is not, strictly speaking, a _Perceptive_, but when it
is realized that before words may be fluently used, they must be
_perceived_, _recognized_, _and remembered_, the reason for our
inclusion of this Quality in the Perceptive class may be understood.