40 On the Occurrence of Fossil Human Bones 



state spoken of, and between the two sorts a third and more 

 numerous variety is distinguishable, which has reached a mid- 

 dle state in decomposition. A similar difference was observed 

 also in the human bones, by which their varying gradations 

 of age are clearly manifested. Yet all are so altered, as well in 

 their constituent parts as in the joining, that one cannot deny 

 them a high antiquity ; and even should they not have come 

 there contemporaneously with the bones of extinct animal races, 

 still they have a sufficient interest in this respect. From the 

 investigations of European students of nature, it results, that 

 no land animal, of which the bones appear in a truly fossil state, 

 has lived within our historical period, and that they, conse- 

 quently, mount up over 3000 years. If this conclusion is ap- 

 plied also to the human bones existing in a like state, they too 

 are of a like antiquity. Since, however, the process of fossilization 

 is as yet little known, especially if the time necessary to this 

 transformation comes into question ; and, if it is true that this 

 time varies according to circumstances, we can attain only to 

 a very indefinite approximation. Be it nevertheless as it may, 

 in any case these bones must have a high antiquity, not only 

 far outreaching the discovery of America, but even surpassing 

 all historical documents of our race, since up to this time no 

 fossilized human bones have been before met with. But hence 

 it results, that Brazil was peopled at a very remote period, and 

 probably before our historical era ; and the inquiries which 

 therefore urge themselves upon us are these : Who were these 

 oldest inhabitants \ from what race were they descended ? 

 and what was their manner of life, and their natural quality 

 of mind. Happily, these questions may be easily solved. 

 Being in possession of several more or less perfect skulls, I was 

 able to define the position which they have occupied in the 

 anthropological system ; and, in fact, the narrow head, the 

 prominent cheek-bones, the angle of the face, the formation 

 of the jaw and of the cavities of the eyes, shew that those 

 skulls belong to the American race. The Mongolian tribes 

 come, as is well known, the nearest to it, and the most striking 

 difference between the two is the greater flattening of the 

 head in the former species. In this point the discovered skulls 

 not only accord with those of the American tribes, but some 



