the hair of the head; and the former likewise had some resemblance to the hair of a stag, which was a very extraordinary circumstance. The influence of the imagination on this child appears to me to be unquestionable.

Let us rest satisfied with the conviction that such it was; and not too hastily enquire how it was.

Many hundreds can attest to the truth of this phenomenon; therefore the possibility of the effects of the mother's imagination on the child cannot be controverted. I much doubt whether we may not hence discover a most fruitful source of beautiful and better countenances, and, consequently, of character; and whether rules might not be given, as Mallebranche, if I do not mistake, has proposed, how the pregnant mother ought to conduct, to employ herself, in order to produce the best possible influence on the mind and heart of the embryo. Rules which may, in a certain degree, conduce to health and proportion, and probably, also, facilitate and prepare good moral formation.—Whether rules might or might not influence original formation, and prevent the inexplicable errors of conception, we have already given our thoughts.

It ought also to be observed that the child under consideration was of extraordinary bodily strength, and quick at remarking. Growth, fulness, compression, form, muscles, shape, comportment, attitude, all denoted the future woman active and fruitful.

LXI.

A GIRL of sixteen, little more than two feet high. Her countenance is evidently childhood enlarged. The still visibly projecting forehead speaks the infantine countenance, as does the weakness of the cavity formed by the forehead and the nose. Age is particularly visible in the under part of the countenance, and maturity seems to have hurried from the upper part of the countenance to the under lip and the neck. A good physiognomonical eye will probably of itself discover this mixture of youth and age. The girl had a tolerable understanding, or rather a strong memory, and volubility of speech. These are particularly visible in the eyes and mouth. Grace and delicate feelings were neither in the character, nor are they in this picture of the girl.