pericraniums

Conscious of their lack of ideas, they think to earn the reputation of men of sterling sense, by inveighing continually against what _they_ deem to be frivolity; while they only expose more clearly to all observers the sad vacuum which exists in their _pericraniums_.

A History of Pantomime R. J. Broadbent

The worthy judges, therefore, were driven to the necessity of sifting, detecting and making evident as noonday, matters which were at the commencement all clearly understood and firmly decided upon in their own pericraniums; so that it may truly be said that the witches were burnt to gratify the populace of the day, but were tried for the satisfaction of the whole world that should come after them.

Knickerbocker's History of New York, Complete Washington Irving 1821

The worthy judges therefore, like myself in this most authentic, minute and satisfactory of all histories, were driven to the necessity of sifting, detecting and making evident as noon day, matters which were at the commencement all clearly understood and firmly decided upon in their own own pericraniums — so that it may truly be said, that the witches were burnt, to gratify the populace of the day — but were tried for the satisfaction of the whole world that should come after them!

A History of New York 1809

Lavater founded his judgment of men upon the formation of their features; Gall and Spurzheim by the lumps, bumps and cavities of their pericraniums; but I doubt not we shall be right in our views of the society we are likely to meet, without the help of either -- do you see that group? "

Real Life In London, Volumes I. and II. Or, The Rambles And Adventures Of Bob Tallyho, Esq., And His Cousin, The Hon. Tom Dashall, Through The Metropolis; Exhibiting A Living Picture Of Fashionable Characters, Manners, And Amusements In High And Low Life (1821) John Badcock 1823

-- [D.] [54] [Her luckless Majesty went subsequently mad; and Dr. Willis, who so dexterously cudgelled kingly pericraniums, could make nothing of hers.

The Works of Lord Byron. Vol. 2 George Gordon Byron Byron 1806