THE VARIETIES OF THE HUMAN SPECIES. I I 



i). That the color of the human skin in one great group of a 

 type, such as yellow, black, or white, is of different gradations and 

 not uniform. 



2). Since, as above stated, all peoples, at least in a great measure, 

 are composed of hybrid elements, it happens that different ele- 

 ments are united under one category, which is, in this instance, 

 the color of the skin. 



3). We must not forget that the external characteristics are more 

 easily lost, and much easier to acquire, by intermixture and 

 heredity. 



A curious example of what I state is found in human classifica- 

 tion according to Quatrefages, which perhaps is now the most 

 complete, considered only as a classification by external character- 

 istics. He places the Abyssinians within the white race notwith- 

 standing that they have the negro coloring, and he does so 

 because he believes that the characteristic form of the skeleton or 

 internal characteristics of the Abyssinians are those of the white 

 race. This is without doubt inconsistent when the principle of 

 classification by color is accepted. This inconsistency itself shows 

 the defect of the method and of the principles mentioned as 

 applied to human characteristics and their combination. 



4). Finally, as we perceive, the theory is not justified that man 

 be classified as a single species with three, five or more variations. 



If the characteristics which present greater stability are internal 

 or skeletal, they should serve for human classification: 



1st. Because, notwithstanding amalgamation and consequent 

 hybridism, the characteristics originating in the skeleton are per- 

 sistent. 



2d. Because they may be taken as fixed points with which other 

 characteristics may be associated, and may be also external, as I 

 shall demonstrate. 



3d. Because, finally, the internal characteristics can demonstrate 

 the full number of divisions and subdivisions in classifying ethnic 

 groups, and in analyzing peoples which are a combination of a 

 great number of hybrids. 



It remains to determine which internal characteristics should 

 have the preference in deciding the value of types for classifica- 

 tion. If we consider the human skeleton, with that object in view, 

 we find three parts which may serve for that purpose, the cerebral 

 cranium, the face, and the stature, with the long bones. 



