68 PHYSICAL INVESTIGATION. [PART I. 



life are of a simple kind, and if activity is exclusively directed 

 to satisfy physical wants, there will be a great external resem- 

 blance in individuals ; for a feeble exertion of the mind, and 

 a uniform expression of mental emotion, impress upon the 

 physiognomy and the whole body the stamp of uniformity, 

 exhibiting but little variety. A greater difference between 

 individuals is only found in more highly developed nations. 

 . Just as the Romans found the old Germans very much like 

 each other, so it is with the civilized European who looks at 

 so-called savages for the first time. This, no doubt, may in 

 most cases arise from, merely taking a superficial view. Thus 

 Kendall 1 says of the Mexican women, that they appear to 

 strangers very like each other, because they wear the same 

 dress, have black hair, dark piercing eyes, and very regular 

 features. The expression of Ulloa, 2 that he who has seen one 

 American has seen them all, has been much criticised. Molina 

 considers it as a great exaggeration, and observes, that the 

 error arose from similarity of colour; that all the tribes he 

 had seen exhibited different features, and that a Chilese, for 

 instance, was not less distinguishable from a Peruvian, than a 

 German from an Italian. Hale also observes, that no two 

 European nations differ from each other, in external aspect, so 

 much as the Indians above, from those below the great 

 Cataracts of Columbia. It is unnecessary to accumulate proofs 

 that great differences between various tribes of America do 

 exist. The fact, however, stands thus : that whilst peoples 

 may be easily distinguished from each other, there exists a 

 very great resemblance between the individuals belonging to 

 the same people. The great uniformity of external aspect of 

 the aboriginal Americans has also been noticed by Humboldt 

 and Morton, the latter excepts only the Esquimaux. The 

 features of the Botokudes are as various and diversified as 

 among Europeans. 3 The Indians on the Orinoco form another 

 exception. 4 It has been observed by many travellers, that it 



p. 

 4 Humboldt und Bonpland, " R. in d. Aeq./' iii, p. 493. 



