Vlll PREFACE. 



I have endeavoured to perform my allotted task with as 

 much prospect of success as could be anticipated amidst 

 the pressure of numerous and laborious avocations un- 

 connected with the Society. 



The necessity for the publication of this work in Eng- 

 land may be conceived, when we reflect on the laxly 

 defined ideas which form an integral part of the intellec- 

 tual heritage of even educated Englishmen, with regard 

 to the problems of anthropology. We have been so often 

 told, that all races of men have been demonstrably proved 

 to be fertile inter se, that many have conceived that the 

 laws regulating this presumed fertility are ascertained 

 and fixed, beyond the reach of disproof, or even of doubt. 

 The Author and Editor of the following pages are, how- 

 ever, of a different opinion ; and are content to wait for 

 the accumulation of future facts. 



To obviate any misconstruction which may be placed 

 on my meaning on this topic, I shall quote the words of 

 the great Dutch philosopher : 



" I invite not the vulgar, therefore, nor those whose minds, like 

 theirs, are full of prejudices, to the perusal of this book. I would 

 much rather that they should entirely neglect it, than that they 

 should misconstrue its purpose and contents after the fashion usual 

 with them." 



I should have felt more gratification if the task of in- 

 terpreting the thoughts of the great French master of 

 our science had fallen into worthier hands than my 

 own. The habitual methods of thought of Dr. PAUL 

 RROCA are so exact, his style so terse, his knowledge 

 of the literature of Anthropology so vast, and his power 



