14 FAUNA AMERICANA. 



the vertical diameter one inch five-tenths; trans- 

 verse diameter of the Mongolian, in a skull 

 which I possess, from Kamtschatka, one inch six- 

 tenths, vertical diameter of the same, one inch 

 two-tenths. The feet, though exceedingly well 

 formed, are wider immediately above the toes in 

 the American, than in the Caucasian, which is due 

 probably to the absence of pressure in the former 

 By European authors, the aborigines of America 

 have been placed as the fourth in number, in the 

 series of the varieties of the human race ; but in 

 proportion as their history is investigated and 

 their character more fully developed, we shall 

 find them to rise in our estimation. In a physical 

 or moral and intellectual point of view, if we take 

 into consideration their limited means for improve- 

 ment, I am convinced we shall find little to boast 

 or to hope for on the score of superiority. Des- 

 titute of all the comforts and conveniences of 

 civilized life, exposed to the severest endurance 

 of cold, fatigue and hunger, the American savage 

 has displayed energies of mind, and qualities of 

 the heart, which would not derogate from the 

 character of a Socrates or a Solon. The Indian 

 by nature is hospitable, eloquent, noble, generous 

 and brave; their utter contempt of danger and 

 death, their perfect self-possession, has been too 

 frequently construed by superficial observers, as 

 apathy, coldness, or indifference. On the contra- 

 ry, numerous examples testify, that they are not 



