206 THE DESCENT OF MAN. [Paht I. 



CHAPTER VII. 



ON THE RACES OF IIAX, 



The Nature aud Value of Specific Cliaractcrs. — Application to the Eaccs 

 of Man. — Arguments in favor of, and ojiposcd to, ranking the So- 

 called Eaces of Man as Distinct Species. — Sub-species. — Monogenists 

 and Polygeniats. — Convergence of Character. — Numerous Points of 

 Eesemblance in Body and Mind between the most Distinct Eaces of 

 Man. — The State of Man when lie first spread over the Earth. — Each 

 Eace not descended from a Single Pair. — The Extinction of Eaces. — 

 The Formation of Eaces. — The Effects of Crossing. — Slight Influence 

 of the Direct Action of the Conditions of Life. — Slight or no Influence 

 of Natural Selection. — Sexual Selection. 



It is not my intention here to describe tlie several so- 

 called races of men ; but to inquire wbat is the A-alue of 

 the differences between them mider a classificatory point 

 of view, and bow tbey bave originated. In determining 

 wbetber tvro or more allied forms ougbt to be ranked as 

 species or varieties, naturalists are practically guided by 

 the follovring considerations : namely, the amount of dif- 

 ference between them, and wliether such differences relate 

 to few or many points of structui-e, and whether they arc 

 of physiological importance ; but more especially whether 

 they are constant. Constancy of character is what is 

 chiefly valued and sought for by naturalists. Whenever 

 it can be shown, or rendered probable, that the forms in 

 question have remained distinct for a long period, this be- 

 comes an argument of mucli Aveight in favor of treating 

 them as species. Even a slight degree of sterility betvreen 



