THE PROBLEMS OF SOMATOLOGY 499 



our classification would differ, accordingly as it followed one or 

 another of these three methods. This fact does not necessarily 

 mean that our classification according to the one or the other is not 

 right. That this contradiction is inevitable is at once apparent when 

 it is remembered that the laws governing the preservation of somatic 

 types are not the same as those which govern the preservation of 

 languages or cultures, and furthermore that language and culture 

 are not transmitted, nor is their development uniform. When we 

 classify according to language, we may make fine distinctions and 

 note historic changes, but not the same classes of facts hi the early 

 history of man are thereby discovered. The combination, then, of 

 the three methods of somatology, linguistics, and ethnology all 

 make up the general study of mankind, and all must contribute 

 their share to the solution of the great problem of anthropology, 

 which has for its ultimate purpose the comprehensive study of 

 mankind and his history. In this great problem the determination 

 of the different types, languages, and cultures of men in different 

 parts of the world, and the explanation, if such be possible, of the 

 reason for the occurrence of these different types, languages, and 

 cultures, are of fundamental importance. 



It is my purpose to discuss those problems of the history of man- 

 kind that relate to the physical structure of man, or somatology. 

 But before passing to the direct consideration of the problems of 

 somatology, I cannot forego the opportunity to call attention to 

 a fact which is so strikingly brought out in this great Exposition, and 

 which is being even more satisfactorily proved as this year draws 

 to a close, the fact that no longer may we speak in derogatory 

 tones of the so-called "lower races," implying thereby that they are 

 less removed from the animal kingdom, and are deficient in certain 

 faculties which, until recently, it has been assumed were the ex- 

 clusive property of the white race. For this advance we are especially 

 indebted to the researches of Boas, who, in a logical and convincing 

 manner, has pointed out that faculty is not dependent upon race. 

 Thus, as Boas has shown, color and character of the hair seem to 

 distinguish the Africans from most other races; yet in America we 

 find a dark skin and lips and nose which much suggest those of the 

 continent of Africa. Then, it must be noted, that differences which 

 at first seemed great, on examination are found to lose their effective- 

 ness when correlation of growth is taken into consideration; for 

 when this is done, the proportions of the body as found among the 

 various races show differences comparatively insignificant. In 

 fact, as has been shown by Ranke, many of the proportions of the 

 so-called "lower races" are more characteristically hunian than those 

 of the whites. In this connection it should also be noted that not 

 descent alone, but the mode of life determines the proportions. 



