314 Dr Prichard on the delations of Ethjiology 



field to several inquiries highly interesting to the ethnolo- 

 gist. 



We must take an account, for example, of the varieties of 

 form and organization to which the diiferent species of ani- 

 mals are subject, in order to solve the question, Whether 

 the differences observed in human races, and the physical 

 characters of any particular race, belong to the category of 

 natural varieties, or indicate an entire distinction which must 

 have existed from the creation, and therefore proves the spe- 

 cies to be distinct \ 



Another question connected with zoology has been made a 

 matter of great moment in these investigations. I allude to 

 the theory of Hybridity, or to the general observations made 

 with respect to mixed breeds and their supposed sterility. 

 The bearing of these questions on the physical history of 

 mankind is very obvious. I shall not enlarge upon it at 

 present. 



Physical geography has a very obvious bearing on ethno- 

 logy, since physical geography comprises the localization of 

 those agencies of climate which are supposed to modify the 

 organization of living tribes, and which oppose limits to the 

 sphere of their existence. We may observe, in connection 

 with this subject, that great numbers of species, both animal 

 and vegetable, are only to be found within certain latitudes, 

 and in particular regions of temperature, and under particu- 

 lar local conditions. Those tribes in the animal kingdom 

 which approach the human form, viz., the apes, are confined 

 by nature to very narrow limits, while men live in all cli- 

 mates. This striking difference suggests several inquiries 

 as to its causes, which have a bearing on physical geography. 



One series of facts connected with physical geography, and 

 having a bearing on ethnology, comprises the effects produced 

 upon climate by elevation of the surface of the earth. It is 

 well known that, in the ascent of mountains, changes of cli- 

 mate and of vegetation are perceived, analogous to those ob- 

 served in passing from a lower to a higher latitude. Plants 

 of the frigid zone reappear in equatorial countries near the 

 summits of Alpine mountains. An inquiry is suggested, 

 how far this may tend to explain the phenomenon, that the 



