266 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



Mongolia propulsion to America, and for the compara- 

 tively late period of development which that stock dis- 

 plays towards the south and west. 



The earliest Chinese annals may not in reality be- 

 long to the beardless races, but be an appropriation 

 made by them after their first conquests were effected ; 

 for the Chinese heroes and social institutions, includ- 

 ing Foh himself, have, in their human relations, cha- 

 racters that do not belong so much to them as to their 

 predecessors, the Kinto Moey, or Yuchi. They have 

 also usages, like the feast of lanterns^ which have no 

 proper meaning in their legends, though, like the 

 Hoolee of India in substance, they may be regarded as 

 the same, since they are both dedicated to the opening 

 spring. It is doubtful, whether at Canton the votaries 

 of Budha understand the hymns sung by them in his 

 praise ; for they are obtained from Ceylon, though the 

 religious system itself is derived originally from 

 Thibet, or perhaps, with still more certainty, from the 

 more western portion of High Asia, before the Hyper- 

 borean diffusion reached that quarter. 



The beardless stock, in its primaeval abode, may not 

 have attained the full stature of Caucasians. Migra- 

 tion to more southerly regions ; still more, innervation 

 derived from interunion with bearded races, probably 

 gave it the development now attained; for no giant 

 tribes are recorded among the unadulterated nations 

 of Mongolic origin ; and many instances occur, where, 

 like Anna Comnena, speaking of the first appearance 

 of the Turks, they are described to be of small stature. 



