424 NATURAL HISTORY. 



selves, she became as white as an European. From 

 this circumstance lie presumes, that all the Hottentots 

 would be tolerably white, were it not for their custom of 

 perpetually begriming themselves. 



Though in America we observe less variety in the 

 human form than might be expected, it cannot be sup- 

 posed, but that in such a diversity of climates and 

 situations, a considerable diversity of inhabitants must 

 also be found. 



In beginning our inquiries, then, we find in the 

 most northern parts of America a species of Laplanders, 

 similar to those of Europe, or to the Samoeids of Asia ; 

 and though, in comparison of the latter, they are few 

 in number, yet they are diffused over a very consider- 

 able extent of ground. Those who inhabit the lands 

 of Davis's Straits, are of a diminutive size, of an olive 

 complexion, and their legs are short and thick. They 

 are skilful fishers. They eat their fish and their meat 

 raw. Their drink consists of pure water, or of the 

 blood of the dog-fish. They are also very strong, and 

 generally live to a great age. Here, we see, there- 

 fore, the figure, the colour, and the manners of the 

 Laplanders. But what is truly singular is, that, as 

 among the Laplanders of Europe we meet with the 

 Finlanders who are white, comely, tolerably tall, and 

 tolerably well made ; so, among the Laplanders of 

 America, we meet with another species of men, tall, 

 well made, tolerably white, and with features exceed- 

 ingly regular. 



Of a different race from the former seem to be the 

 savages of Hudson's Bay, and northward of the land 

 of Labrador. They are ugly, however, diminutive, 

 and unshapely ; and their visage is almost entirely 

 covered with hair, like the savages of the country of 



