In man the substance of the brain has more consistence, more density; in woman, it is softer and less voluminous. In these numerous organic differences we find the cause of woman's greater excitability. She is less given to reflection. Everything which occasions violent emotions troubles and bewilders her. Man, less sensitive, belongs more to himself; for sensibility, while it multiplies our relations with the external world, whenever it passes certain limits, subjugates and delivers us without a guide to all the hazards of passion. So, says J. J. Rousseau, "Woman has more wit, and man more genius; woman observes, and man reasons."
The nerves emanating from the spine are larger in woman relatively to the size of the muscles. She presents all the characteristics of the nervous temperament, and has, consequently, its advantages and defects. In fact, there is far less variety of temperament among women. They seem, in this respect at least, to be cast more in a common mold than men. It would seem that, in the designs of Providence, each man has to follow the paths of a special destiny, and consequently is endowed with special aptitudes. The common destiny of women does not exact those profound and essential differences among them which are remarked among men. But, as the feminine nature is exceedingly impressionable, there are observed a host of superficial differences arising from education, manners, and customs, and from all the general causes which affect the secondary qualities of beings. There is now and then a woman who, in constitution and proclivities, may be considered as an exception to the rule. Strongly constituted, endowed with intellectual qualities superior to her sex, with broad and high forehead like a man, she is a sort of mistake of Nature. Such women are
