RACES OF EUROPE 51 



The physical data derived from skulls, colouration 

 and stature enable us to recognize the presence of 

 three racial types or races amongst the white popu- 

 lation of modern Europe. The Mediterranean or 

 Iberian Race is distinguished by a low cranial 

 index, dark colouration of skin, hair and eyes, and 

 short stature. It is conspicuous on the shores of 

 the Mediterranean, in the Spanish Peninsula, and 

 along the western fringes of France and Great 

 Britain, Brittany, West Ireland, Cornwall, Wales 

 and the West Highlands of Scotland. The second 

 race, usually called Teutonic, but better termed 

 Nordic, as the word Teutonic has acquired a mis- 

 leading political significance, is also long-headed but 

 is tall and very blond. It is most obvious in north- 

 west Europe, but sends outliers far into the south, 

 reaching Bordeaux and down the Rhone valley to 

 Marseilles. 



The third race, often named Celtic, because of its 

 historical connection with Celtic culture and Celtic 

 language, but preferably Alpine, because of its 

 present association with the highlands of central 

 Europe and notable absence from what we call the 

 Celtic fringes, is round-headed, stocky in size and 

 intermediate in colouration between the blond 

 Nordics and the dark Iberians. It forms a wedge 

 entering Europe from a broad base in Asia, and in- 

 truding between the Mediterranean and the Nordic 

 peoples. 



Measured in years, the period of man's tenure of 

 the earth, as we know it from the geological record, 

 is almost immeasurably greater than what we call 

 historical times. There must have been innumerable 



