On the Skin in the Dark Paces of Mankind, S77 



dark pigment is only inferred, although the occurrence of Al- 

 binoes in all races should induce us to believe the presence of 

 a pigment universal. So that what is said of the colouring 

 matter in the Negro may be extended to all varieties of colour, 

 reasoning by analogy. 



It is scarcely possible to regard the dark colouring matter 

 otherwise than as a provision for, in some way, enabling those 

 who possess it in abundance to withstand the heat of the cli- 

 mate they inhabit. Accordingly, there are facts which prove 

 such individuals to be more capable of withstanding the heat 

 of torrid regions than acclimatized Europeans, or other whites 

 born there. There are also facts to connect this power of 

 withstanding excessive heat with the development of the dark 

 colouring matter. Thus, Albinoes of Guinea, differing from 

 both Europeans and their countrymen in this, that they totally 

 want the colouring matter, according to many authors, are 

 even less capable of resisting the heat of their native country 

 than European strangers ; indeed their skins are said to crack 

 and blister on exposure to the sun's rays. And I am informed 

 by Mr Granidgo of Barbadoes, that he has observed the same 

 fact in that island. 



Now, when we reflect that the European cannot be without 

 some colouring matter between the true skin and cuticle, since 

 he must differ in this respect from the Albino, it seems as if a 

 relation were established between the development of the pig- 

 ment, and probably of the rete mucosum along with it, and 

 the power of resisting the sun''s heat in torrid regions. 



It is clear that in this inquiry we should regard, not merely 

 the physical properties of the organization we consider, nor 

 its vital properties only, but the action and reaction of the 

 whole, and their effect on the system of the individual. For 

 want of a consideration of all circumstances, before the publi- 

 cation of Sir Everard Home's views, it was not conceived how 

 the tint, which, on analogy, should absorb more heat than any 

 other, could, in the hottest regions of the earth, confer any 

 exemption on its possessor. And perhaps before this paper is 

 concluded, it may bo apparent that, since Sir Everard pub- 

 lished, the matter has been misunderstood. 



