M. FRANCOIS PERON. 33 



second volume, which is in no way inferior to the 

 first ; his sufferings not preventing him from pro- 

 ceeding to the last with undiminished care. 



Our indefatigable author had also made some 

 progress in another work of more than ordinary 

 magnitude and importance. This was a compa- 

 rison of the different races of mankind. He had 

 collected observations on this point from every 

 traveller and physiologist, and had himself examined 

 the natives of the Cape, of Timor, and those of New 

 Holland and Van Dieman's Land ; his design being 

 to present a philosophical history of different nations, 

 considered in their physical and moral constitution. 

 He proposed, vainly as it proved, not to publish 

 this work, which had been the subject of his thoughts 

 since his first starting, till after he had made three 

 other voyages ; one to the northern parts of Europe 

 and Asia, a second into India, and the third to 

 America : to devote fifteen years to this task did 

 not appear to him too great a sacrifice ; the plan 

 was formed, the various inquiries were arranged, 

 and he unceasingly occupied himself in finding the 

 answer to the proposed problems. He had prepared 

 several memoirs on this subject, which he con- 

 signed to oblivion, because they were not free from 

 error. The fragment which contains the history of 

 the natives of Timor is the only one nearly finished, 

 the figures which were to accompany it, having been 

 designed on the spot. 



His portfolios included also a description of the 

 quadrupeds, birds, and fishes he had met with, and 



c 



