THE HUMAN SPECIES. 367 



mediate Ethiopic on the south, and Finnic on the north, 

 have, next to their points of contact, shades of dark-skinned 

 or fair races, partaking of these characters in degree only 

 according to that vicinity ; and thence we must look for the 

 normal point of the type where the influence of the other two 

 is, or at least primevally was, least accessible. This geograph- 

 ical point belongs emphatically to Hindu-Koosh, extending 

 eastward up to the Pamere, and westward through Armenia, 

 and the occidental Caucasus to Greece and Italy, notwithstand- 

 ing the progress which, since the historical ages, the Mongolic 

 diffusion has made in Northern Asia, following a similar 

 extension of the true Caucasians towards the west, after an 

 interval of some ages. 



Of the three varieties of color and temperament most dis- 

 tinctly marked in the Caucasian type, the first is characterized 

 by brown complexions and dark eyes and hair, very symmetri- 

 cal proportions, a round-domed skull, and an intelligence most 

 vividly imaginative. The temperament sensual, the vindic- 

 tive passions active, the perceptive faculties quick, and the 

 physical energies demanding mental excitement more than 

 reason for exertion. Such are the ardent nations of the south. 

 Opposed to them in form and disposition are the tribes of the 

 north: with a loftier stature, a fair, often a ruddy skin, xan- 

 thous hair, rather ponderous limbs, a squarer skull, and coarser 

 features ; they have little comparative vivacity, but are 

 endowed with the faculty of thought and reason less under the 

 control of petulant desires ; more reflective, and therefore more 

 continuously attached to conclusions once formed ; slow, but 

 patient in perseverance ; and brave, without requiring the 

 stimulus of enthusiasm. They are sincere and single-minded; 

 but addicted to gluttony and drunkenness. Between these 

 twc we find the typical root still more essentially mountaineer 

 in habit, with clear complexions, light brown, auburn, light or 

 dark hair. It has the skull formed almost like the southern 

 stem, but broader in the forehead. By nature and locality 



