22 On (he Unity of the Human Species. 



gone, these observers have thought it necessary to establish 

 a much gTeater number of races than liad been previously 

 admitted. They have even subdivided the principal of these 

 races, that is to say, the White or Circassian, the Yellow or 

 Mongolian, the Black or Negro, and, finally, the Red or 

 American. We shall not follow them in their researches, 

 but confine ourselves to a single observation on this point. 

 This great variety, which recently observed facts compel us 

 to recognise in the human species, is a striking proof of the 

 number of transitions which unite them, and the difficulty 

 of separating them by precise characters. We may perceive 

 in it a new proof of the impossibility of admitting the par- 

 celling out of the human race into many species. 



It is the same with the physiological diflFerences existing 

 between the principal races ; although I'eal, these diiferences 

 are less essential than they at first sight appeared. In fact, 

 the medium duration of life is nearly the same among all the 

 races, because they are affected by the same diseases, and 

 their functions operate in the same manner. If some slight 

 differences exist among them, they are easily explained by 

 the prolonged influence of climate and habits. 



No doubt the contrasts between the modes of life of differ- 

 ent nations appear, at first view, very great ; but if we look to 

 the motives of their actions, and their exterior manifestations, 

 in races the most distinct, we shall find that they are neaidy 

 the same. The necessity for preservation, and the desire of 

 happiness, are as universal as the knowledge, or, at least, the 

 idea, of a superior power, or a God. All nations, even the 

 most degraded, have their fetes, their ceremonies, and a re- 

 spect, more or less profound, for the dead. In general, the 

 means of carrying their acts into execution are more diver- 

 sified than the motives which cause them. These considera- 

 tions, as well as a multitude of others which might be easily 

 added, are still further proofs of the unity of the human 

 species. 



We might believe even in more numei'ous variations, when 

 we consider that man possesses a wonderful faculty, in- 

 telligence, of which the brain appears to be the material or- 

 gan. Such, however, is not the case, notwithstanding the im- 



