THE HUMAN SPECIES. 253 



those structural monuments which are still to be seen 

 in their ruins ; thence, in successive waves, ascending 

 the plateau of the Andes, they made their appearance 

 in Anahuac, to seize new and perhaps better settle- 

 ments ; but, from their new position, eventually for- 

 saking all acquaintance with navigation. 



Thus are shown those successive proceedings of na- 

 tions in the New World, which were counterparts of 

 the well-known invasions of the northern tribes in the 

 Old ; both radiating from a common centre ; surmount- 

 ing obstacles of seas, deserts, swamps, forests and moun- 

 tain chains ; surviving mutual slaughters, victories and 

 defeats, till they reach the utmost limits of the habit- 

 able earth. If now we inquire whether the nations of 

 America attest, in their structure, the various origin 

 here shown, or have a uniformity of characteristics, 

 which many eminent physiologists, together with Dr. 

 Morton, contend for, we shall find great evidence of a 

 common type very generally, but not unexceptionably 

 pervading the nations in question. It is found chiefly 

 in the great vertical prolongation of the frontal bone, 

 though this distinction we have before noticed is not 

 exclusively American : it varies in size, probably, ac- 

 cording to the degree of intermixture different tribes 

 have received there being, besides, populations on the 

 coasts of the sea of Okotsk, and even on Saghalin Island 

 similarly distinguished.* Many Japanese, particularly 



* It is externally apparent, in some abnormal tribes of 

 the Polynesian islands, and exclusive of the Flathead Pal- 

 tas, most conspicuous in peak-headed natives of Kotzebue's 



