BIMANA. 43 



unity, certain hereditary peculiarities of conformation are observed, which 

 constitute what are termed races. 



Three of tliem in particular appear very distinct — the Caucasian or 

 white', the IMomjolian or yellow, and the Ethiopian or negro. 



The Caucasian, to which we belong, is distinguished by the beauty of 

 the oval formed by his head, varying in complexion and the colour of 

 the hair. To this variety, the most highly civilized nations, and those 

 which have generally held all others in subjection, are indebted for their 

 origin. 



The Mongolian is known by his high cheek bones, flat visage, narrow 

 and oblique eyes, straight black hair, scanty beard and olive complexion. 

 Great empires have been established by this race in China and Japan, and 

 their conquests been extended to this side of the Great Desert. In civi- 

 lization, however, it has always remained stationary. 



The Negro race is confined to the south of mount Atlas ; it is marked 

 by a black complexion, crisped or woolly hair, compressed cranium, and a 

 flat nose. The projection of the lower parts of the face, and the thick 

 lips, evidently approximate it to the monkey tribe : the hordes of wliicli it 

 consists have always remained in the most complete state of utter bar- 

 barism. 



The race from which we are descended has been called Caucasian, be- 

 cause tradition and the filiation of nations seem to refer its origin to that 

 group of mountains situated between the Caspian and Black seas, whence, 

 as from a centre, it has been extended like the radii of a circle. Various 

 nations in the vicinity of Caucasus, the Georgians and Circassians, are 

 still considered the handsomest on earth. The principal ramifications 

 of this race may be distinguished by the analogies of language. The Ar- 

 menian or Syrian branch, stretching to the south, produced the Assyrians, 

 the Chaldeans, the hitherto untameable Arabs, who, after Mahomet, were 

 near becoming masters of the world; the Phoenicians, Jews, and Abyssini- 

 ans, which Avere Arabian colonies ; and most probably the Egyptians. It 

 is from this branch, always inclined to mysticism, that have sprung the 

 most widely extended forms of religion — the arts and literature have some- 

 times flourished among its nations, but always enveloped in a strange dis- 

 guise and figurative style. 



The Indian, German, and Pelasgic branch is much more extended, and 

 was much earlier divided : notwithstanding which, the most numerous affi- 

 nities may be observed between its four principal languages — the Sanscrit, 

 the present sacred language of the Hindoos, and the parent of the greater 

 number of the dialects of Hindostan ; the ancient language of the Pelasgi, 

 common mother of the Greek, Latin, many tongues that are extinct, and 

 of all those of the south of Europe ; the Gothic or Teutonic, from which 

 are derived the languages of the north and north-west of Europe, such as 

 the German, Dutch, English, Danish, Swedish, and other dialects; and 



moderately narrowed; the forehead is slightly arched; the face is large, and all its 

 parts are fully developed ; the jaws are more or less prominent ; the skin is tawny, 

 or clear mahogany or chesnut brown; the hair is black, soft, and curled. — There are 

 thirty-four crania of this variety in the Hunterian Museum. (See Plate I. Mam- 

 malia, Fig. 5. The portrait of Omai, a native of Ulietea, one of the Society 

 Islands, brought to Enghmd in 177.'?, and carried back by Cook). — Eng. Ed. 



