212 VARIKTIES OF TIIK HUMAN SPECIES. 



ment dlflrcreutos *." He says of the Negroes, " Leurs ycux 

 rontls, Icur nez epate, leurs levres toujours grosses, leurs 

 oreillcs differemment Hgurees, la laine de leur tete, la mesure 

 m^me de lour intelligence, mettent entr'eux et les autres 

 especes d'liommes des differences prodigieuses. Et ce qui 

 d(^niontre qu'ils ne doivent point cette difference k leur 

 cliniat, c'est que des Negres et des Negresses transportes 

 dans les pays les plus froids, y produisent toujours des 

 animaux de leur espece, et que les mulatres ne sont qu'une 

 race batarde d'un noir et d'une blanche, ou d'un blanc et 

 d'une noire f." 



To these, wliich are in truth well-founded remarks, 

 although in favour of what 1 think will appear to be the 

 wrong opinion on the subject, he adds others of a less cor- 

 rect description ; enumerating, as proofs of distinct species, 

 the beardlessness of the Americans, the black nipples of the 

 Samoiede women, and " le tablier que la nature a donnd aux 

 Caffres, et dont la peau lache et molle tombe du nombril 

 sur les cuisses :|:." 



I am not surprised at the view which Voltaire has taken 

 of tlie question ; for first appearances strongly favour his 

 opinion. This witty and charming writer, who delights us 

 with Ins various excellencies in so many departments of 

 literature and philosophy, may be well excused for not 

 having possessed sufficient zoological and physiological 

 knowledge to guide his judgment on such a point. Indeed, 

 the progress of science and discovery, and the more accurate 

 accounts of various people procured by modern travellers, 

 liave given us advantages which he did not possess. We 

 must not, however, follow his example in selecting two or 

 three prominent contrasts, and considering them alone : 

 such partial and insulated views cannot lead to any satis- 

 factory results. It is necessary to examine, not only the 

 more marked differences, but also the numerous gradations 

 by wliich opposite extremes are in all cases connected 

 and gradually brought together: it is also necessary to cast 



* Essai sur les Maurs. +II>id, + Ibid. 



