350 MAN. 



more than touch very lightly on the mysterious subject of 

 modes of origin; the geography of organic forms treats rather 

 of germs already developed of their habitations, their mi- 

 grations voluntary or passive, and their distribution over the 

 surface of the earth. 



The general view of nature which I have endeavoured to 

 present would be incomplete, were I to close it without at- 

 tempting to trace, by a few characteristic traits, a corre- 

 sponding sketch of man, viewed in respect to physical gra- 

 dations, to the geographical distribution of cotemporaneous 

 types, to the influences which terrestrial forces exercise on 

 him, and to the reciprocal but less powerful action which he 

 in turn exerts on them. Subject, though in a less degree than 

 plants and animals, to the circumstances of the soil and the 

 meteorological conditions of the atmosphere, and escaping 

 from the control of natural influences by the activity of mind 

 and the progressive advance of intelligence, as well as by 

 a marvellous flexibility of -organisation which adapts itself 

 to every climate, man forms every where an essential portion 

 of the life which animates the globe. It is by these rela- 

 tions that the obscure and much contested problem of com- 

 munity of origin enters into the circle of ideas comprised in 

 the physical description of the world. Its examination will 

 stamp (if I may so express myself) with that nobler interest 

 which attaches itself to all that belongs to mankind, the 

 termination of my work. The immense domain of the science 

 of languages, in whose varied structure the aptitudes o 

 nations are mysteriously reflected, borders closely on that 

 which treats of the parentage and affinity of races : and if 

 ^e would know what even slight diversities of rac may be 



