I 





2 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



species of animals inhabiting the same countries, where man has undergone changes equal to any 

 specific character we are able to give between his inferiors. As far, however, as our data at present go, 

 the theory of Hunter, excepting those animals in a state of domestication, appears to be the 

 trae one, and we shall here take the liberty of referring our readers to some short papers by us in the 

 Zoological proceedings for 1837, and to Loudon's Magazine of Natural History, No. VII. New 

 Series, and also to a Note appended to a paper by Mr. Blyth, in volume IX. page 511, of the same 

 Magazine. 



That man is subjected to a change in complexion as well as in the formation of the skull, 

 when acted upon by different climates, appears from the following quotation: — "In Cairo, and 

 throughout the northern provinces, those (Mooslim Egyptians) who have not been much exposed to 

 the sun have a yellowish but very clear complexion and soft skin, the rest are of a considerably 

 darker and coarser complexion. The people of Middle Egypt are of a more tawny colour, and 

 those of the more southern provinces are of a deep bronze or brown complexion, darkest towards 

 Nubia, where the climate is hottest." Vide "An Account of the Manners and Customs of the 

 Modern Egyptians, by W. Lane, Vol. I. Library of Entertaining Knowledge." 



From a paper read at the meeting of the British Association, held at Liverpool, by Dr. 

 Warren (of Boston, U. S.), it appears that the crania of Indians found buried in mounds in 

 North America, and on that account called the Mound Indians, differ in form from those of the 

 Indians at present inhabiting the same country, and agree with those of the Peruvians now 

 inhabiting South America. Are the present North American Indians the posterity of these Mound 

 Indians '? What evidence is there that they are not 1 ? 



The geographical distribution of animals is a subject of much interest to the Zoologist as well 

 as to the Geologist, and very closely connected with the distinction of species, more nearly so, indeed, 

 than is generally supposed. 



Mr. Swainson divides the earth into five Zoological provinces, corresponding with the 

 continents of Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australia; these arc well known divisions of the 

 world, and as such are convenient, but we must consider that those countries occupied by the 

 different races of mankind (except where emigration of late date has taken place) form much more 

 natural Zoological provinces than those mentioned by Mr. Swainson. 



The division of the human species which appears to be most generally approved and adopted 

 is that of Blumenbach : with the characters of these races we have at present nothing to do, but 

 shall refer those of our readers who wish to investigate the matter further to the " Decades of 

 Crania," by the author above quoted, to the "Regne animal," and Dr. Prichard's "Researches into 

 the Physical History of Man." 



We shall, however, make use of that division of the Mongolian variety slightly hinted at by 

 Cuvier, separating from it the Samoides or Lapland race, and it is a singular fact that the Zoology 

 of the country, as well as the human inhabitants of it, form the connecting links between the Zoology 

 and human inhabitants of the three great continents, Europe, Asia, and America. 



The following divisions or ranges are those which we think the most natural : — 

 The Caucassian range occupies the whole of Europe, excepting only Lapland and Finland, 

 that part of Asia to the west of the Caspian sea. and the rivers Obc and Ganges. 



The Mongolian range occupies that part of Asia not inhabited by the Caucassian races, except 

 Malacca. 





