48 



CHAPTER IV. 



ANATOMICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL, AND PATHOLOGICAL 

 VAEIETIES. 



WE have endeavoured to prove in the preceding pages the 

 specific unity of the biological phenomena in each Order, which 

 are to be found among the superior animals and man. This 

 unity has led us necessarily to another, that of method ; and 

 we have just seen that man forms simply a family, that is to 

 say, a very secondary division in the zoological series. 



But we have only taken the first step of the path in which 

 we have to travel. The genus homo shows many varieties, and 

 many dissimilarities. We must try to estimate their value, 

 and to find out what the divisions to be established between 

 what we commonly call races of men may be worth. Now, the 

 only rule to be followed here is naturally that which is applied 

 by all zoologists to the other individuals composing the animal 

 series. The only way to arrive at such a goal will be, first of 

 all, the study of the physical differences, the necessary basis of 

 a rational classification. Thus we shall, at least, have important, 

 and what is more, comparable results. 



The anatomy of races has been largely written about, and 

 yet we may even now offer this subject to the serious study of 

 anthropologists; perhaps, also, in carrying their attention 

 farther than the skin, the encephalic mass and the skeleton, 

 which have been nearly the sole objects of study up to the 

 present time, they will find in all syste'ms dissimilarities of the 

 same order, and as clearly defined.* These differences and 



* Tiedemann, of Heidelberg, wrote to Knox with reference to the nervous 

 system, that he had great reason to believe that the natives of Australia 



