11.1. The three main divisions consist of:

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1. The region of instincts or propensities, found at the lower portion of the back of the head.

2. The sentiments or moral faculties, which occupy most of the upper portion of the head.

3. The abilities or intellectual faculties, at the front of the head, including the forehead.

Such groupings gave phrenology a solid framework. It was generally conceded that the well-developed forehead of civilized man was the stamp of intellectuality, as compared to the sloping forehead of his early ancestors. Conversely, over-development at the base of the skull was the mark of primitive man, indicative of unrestrained instinct. A high, large head showed a greater capacity for-sentiments than a low, brain-cramping skull.

As each region was subdivided, appropriate titles were bestowed upon the smaller areas thus localized and defined. This nomenclature changed with the years, but the findings themselves remained substantially the same. With the aid of the chart shown here, anyone can locate the areas of the human head and give a phrenological reading, based on the development or deficiency of specific divisions, according to the listed traits.

At the outset, these readings are generally limited to the most noticeable bumps, which serve as keys to the individuals outstanding traits. But through comparison of different heads, minor differences become more noticeable and can be interpreted accordingly. In the heyday of phrenology, experts toured the country reading thousands of heads, and became remarkably precise in detail when giving an individual analysis.

In studying the accompanying chart and the list of traits given with it, you will note a similarity between some of the adjacent areas, one often blending into another, as with “veneration” and “spirituality.” This is helpful in giving a reading, as the phrenologist will not be far off in his finding if he moves a trifle into an adjacent area. With others, however, there is a sharper line of demarcation, as between “friendship” and “combativeness.” This can account for certain conflicts of nature, when the development of one area carries over into the next.

In addition to the grand divisions of propensities, sentiments, and abilities, special groupings have been formed for easier identification of the individual faculties, or organs, as they are sometimes termed. These special groupings are utilized in the list that follows: