66 RECAPITULATION AND CONCLUSION. 



discarded it. When, contrary to the opinion of several modern 

 authors, we wished to establish that there were really eugenesic 

 intermixtures in the human genus, we found in science asser- 

 tions without proofs, and we believe that our investigations 

 concerning the mixed populations of France have, in this re- 

 spect, the merit of novelty. We may be mistaken as to the 

 value of our demonstration ; but we venture to assert, that this 

 demonstration is the first that has been attempted. 



After having rendered, if not quite certain, at least ex- 

 tremely probable, that certain human crossings are eugenesic, we 

 have inquired whether all human crossings are in the same 

 condition. 



From the documents collected it results, that certain human 

 crossings yield results notably inferior to such as constitute 

 in animals eugenesic hybridity. The whole of the known facts 

 permit us to consider as very probable, that certain human 

 races taken two by two are less homoeogenesic ; as, for instance, 

 the species of the dog and the wolf. If we are to make any 

 reservation, and leave some doubts upon this conclusion, it is 

 that we cannot admit, without numerous verifications, a fact 

 which definitively demonstrates the plurality of human species; 

 a fact, by the presence of which, all other discussion is ren- 

 dered superfluous ; a fact, finally, of which the political and 

 social consequences would be immense. 



We cannot too much insist upon drawing the attention of 

 observers upon this subject. But whatever be the result of 

 ulterior reseai'ches on human hybridity, it remains well attested 

 that animals of different species may produce an eugenesic pro- 

 geny, and that consequently we cannot, from the fecundity of 

 human intermixtures, however disparate the races may be, 

 draw a physiological argument in favour of the unity of spe- 

 cies, even if the fecundity were as certain as it is doubtful. 



The great problem we have investigated in this essay is one 

 of those which have caused great agitation, and most difficult to 

 approach with a mind unbiassed by any extra-scientific precon- 

 ception. This was almost inevitable ; but science must keep 

 aloof from anything not within its province. There is no faith, 

 however respectable, no interest, however legitimate, which 



