210 Biographical Sketch of Dr Prichard. 



who maintained, that in every species of plants, as well as 

 of animals, only one pair was originally produced. " Unum 

 individuum ex hermapliroditis et unicmn par I'eliquorum 

 viventium fuisse- primulus creatum sana ratio videtur 

 clarissime ostendere." 



In this edition increased precision was given to character- 

 istic differences of form, complexion, hair and stature, the 

 circumstances under which they occur, and the causes by 

 which they may be influenced. The descriptions of the nume- 

 rous families of mankind were greatly multiplied, and at the 

 same time given with greater minuteness. But it must be 

 observed, that in a work of this kind the author's own personal 

 observations must, even in the case of a great traveller, be 

 comparatively limited ; whilst the author who wi'ites in his 

 own fixed residence, though he enjoys the largest amount of 

 collected materials, must nevertheless be subjected to the 

 serious inconvenience of being supplied with statements which 

 may be either seriously defective, or absolutely inaccurate, 

 without his being able at the time to correct or even to de- 

 tect them. Renewed research and the division of labour are 

 indispensable for the completion of the task, in the progress 

 of which there will be much to interest and reward the ethno- 

 logist who will take Dr Prichard for his guide and instructor. 



The diffusion of mankind presents one characteristic of the 

 highest importance for its elucidation, which is altogether 

 peculiar to our species. The characteristic to which I allude 

 is that of language. It may be said, that in this respect it 

 resembles many other characteristics resulting from the pro- 

 gressive cultivation of successive generations, which is the 

 peculiar privilege of our race. Language, it is true, is sub- 

 jected to the influence of this progressive cultivation, and 

 preserves an important record of its advances. Yet there is, 

 nevertheless, something peculiar in the subject of language, 

 which places philology, as applied to the study of the human 

 race generally, in a most exalted and important position 

 amongst the abstruse sciences. I have only to appeal to the 

 elaborate disquisitions of our learned associate, Dr Latham, 

 for the proof of this assertion. 



But to return to Dr Prichard. The philological portion of 



