Comparative Physiognomy; or, Resemblances Between Men and Animals. by James W. Redfield. Illustrated by 330 Engravings.

James W. Redfield presents a systematic study in Comparative Physiognomy; or, Resemblances Between Men and Animals, published in 1866. This volume argues that the brain is subservient to the face, making facial reading more practical for everyday character assessment than skull analysis. The text relies on thirty engravings to illustrate these connections between human traits and animal forms. Redfield organizes his work by examining specific national and racial groups alongside various beasts and birds. He posits distinct resemblances, such as Germans matching lions and Prussians aligning with cats. The author also links Arabs to camels, Englishmen to bulls, Italians to horses, and Yankees to bears. Further comparisons extend to Russians as geese, while Frenchmen are associated with frogs and alligators. The book also details individual likenesses to eagles, owls, ostriches, rats, hares, vultures, pigeons, parrots, and mockingbirds. This title suits readers interested in historical pseudoscience and the cultural context of nineteenth-century physiognomy. It offers a concrete look at how 1860s scholars categorized human behavior through animal analogies. Those seeking modern scientific validation will find this work lacking, as it reflects the speculative theories of its era rather than empirical biology. The text remains a primary source for understanding the visual and rhetorical strategies used to define national character during the mid-nineteenth century.