52 MAMMALIA. 



There are, however, certain intrinsic causes which seem to arrest 

 the progress of particular races, although situated amidst the most 

 favourable circumstances. 



Varieties of the Human Species. 



Although the promiscuous intercourse of the human species, 

 which produces individuals capable of propagation, would seem to 

 demonstrate its unity, certain hereditary peculiarities of conforma- 

 tion are observed which constitute what are termed races. 



Three of them in particular appear very distinct the Caucasian 

 or white, the MongoUati or yellow, and the Ethiopian or negro. 



The Caucasian, to which we belong, is distinguished by the beauty 

 of the oval formed by his head, varying in complexion and the 

 colour of the hair. To this variety, the most highly civilized nations, 

 and those which have generally held all others in subjection, are in- 

 debted for their origin. 



The Mongolian is known by his high check bones, flat visage, 

 narrow and oblique eyes, straight black hair, scanty beard and olive 

 complexion. Great empires have been established by this race in 

 China and Japan, and their conquests been extended to this side of 

 the Great Desert. In civilization, however, it has always remained 

 stationary. 



The Negro race is confined to the south of mount Atlas^ it is 

 marked by a black complexion, crisped or woolly hair, compressed 

 cranium, and a flat nose. The projection of the lower parts of the 

 face, and the thick lips, evidently approximate it to the monkey 

 tribe: the hordes of which it consists have always remained in the 

 most complete state of utter barbarism. 



The race from which we are descended has been called Caucasian, 

 because tradition and the filiation of nations seem to refer its origin 

 to that group of mountains situated between the Caspian and Black 

 seas, whence, as from a centre, it has been extended like the radii of 

 a circle. Various nations in the vicinity of Caucasus, the Georgians 

 and Circassians, are still considered the handsomest on earth. The 

 principal ramifications of this race may be distinguished by the ana- 

 logies of language. The Armenian or Syrian branch, stretching 

 to the south, produced the Assyrians, the Chaldeans, the hitherto 

 untameable Arabs, who, after Mahomet, were near becoming mas- 

 ters of the world ; the Phcnicians, Jews and Abyssinians, which 

 were Arabian colonies j and most probably the Egyptians. It is 

 from this branch, always inclined to mysticism, that have sprung 

 the most widely extended forms of religion the arts and literature 



