50 MAMMALIA. 



The social condition of man has been restrained, or advanced by circum- 

 stances more or less favourable. 



The glacial climates of the north of both continents, afld the impenetrable 

 forests of America are still inhabited by the savage hunter or fisherman. The 

 immense sandy and salt plains of central Asia and Africa are covered with a 

 pastoral people, and innumerable herds. These half civilized hordes as- 

 semble at the call of every enthusiastic chief, and rush like a torrent on 

 the cultivated countries that surround them, in which they establish them- 

 selves, but to be weakened by luxury, and in their turn to become the prey 

 of others. This is the true cause of that despotism which has always crush- 

 ed and destroyed the industry of Persia, India, and China. 



Mild climates, soils naturally irrigated and rich in vegetables, are the 

 cradles of agriculture and civilization, and when so situated as to be shel- 

 tered from the incursions of barbarians, every species of talent is excited; 

 such were (the first in Europe) Italy and Greece, and such is, at present, 

 nearly all that happy portion of the earth. 



Varieties of the Human Species. 



Three races appear veiy distinct — the Caucasian or ■white, the Mongolian 

 or yellow, and the Ethiopian or negro. 



The Caucasian, to which we'belong, is distinguished by the beauty of the 

 oval formed by his head, varying in complexion and the colour of the hah*. 

 To this variety, the most highly civilized nations, and those which have 

 generally held all others in subjection, are indebted for their origin. 



The Mongolian is known by his high cheek bones, flat visage, narrow 

 and oblique eyes, straight black hair, scanty beard and olive complexion. 

 Great empires have been established by this race in China and Japan, and 

 their conquests been extended to this side of the Great Desert. In civiliza- 

 tion, however, it has always remained stationary. 



The Negro race is confined to the south of mount Atlas; it is marked by 

 a black complexion; crisped or woolly hair, compressed cranium, and a flat 

 nose. The projection of the lower parts of the face, and the thick lips, 

 evidently approximate it to the monkey tribe; the hordes of which it con- 

 sists have always remained in the most complete state of utter barbarism. 



The race from which we are descended has been called Caucasian, be- 

 cause tradition and the filiation of nations seem to refer its origin to that 

 group of mountains situated between the Caspian and Black seas, whence, 

 as from a centre, it has been extended like the radii of a circle. Various 

 nations in the vicinity of Caucasus, the Georgians and Circassians, are still 

 considered the handsomest on earth. The principal ramifications of this race 

 may be distinguished by the analogies of language. The Armenian or Sy- 

 rian branch, stretching to the south, produced the Assyrians, the Chaldeans, 

 the hitherto untameable Arabs, who, after Mahomet, were near becoming 

 masters of the world; the Phenicians, Jews and Abyssinians, which were Ara- 

 bian colonies; and most probably the Egyptian. It is from this briinch, 



