16 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



straight, and to have a tendency to grow longer than in the other 

 races; when left to itself, I think it will, not unfrequently, reach the 

 ground. 



As to the ' oblique eye,' so generally spoken of as characteristic of 

 the Chinese, I have found it among them in some instances, and also 

 among the Chinooks of Northwest America ; but I have not been able 

 to make much use of it as a distinctive character. I have moreover 

 seen individuals of the Malay race, having their eyes small and as if 

 half-closed, and I am induced to think some confusion may have 

 arisen from this source. I was not more successful with the alleged 

 "absence of a projecting inner angle to the lids," which has likewise 

 been spoken of as a Chinese peculiarity. Some writers have found a 

 want of clearness in the sclerotica, or ' white of the eye,' of the abo- 

 riginal American: a point I have not examined, but which seems to 

 deserve attention. 



For characteristic figures of Mongolians, I would particularly refer 

 to West's paintings of aboriginal Americans; so far, at least, as I can 

 judge from copies. 



The Arctic Regions seem exclusively possessed by the Mongolian 

 race; which besides, is diffused through a greater variety of climates 

 than any other, and over a far larger area. This comprises about one 

 half of Asia, and with a slight exception all aboriginal America, or more 

 than two-fifths of the land-surface of the globe. Notwithstanding the 

 recent encroachments, the greater portion of the American continent 

 is still inhabited by Mongolian tribes; and while some of them 

 wander towards the North, farther than civilized man has hitherto 

 been able to follow, others are still the nearest dwellers to the Southern 

 Pole. 



BRAZIL. 



In conforming, wherever it is practicable, to the order of the Voy- 

 age, Brazil is the first place that claims attention. During a stay of 

 six weeks at Rio Janeiro, including journeys to and beyond the Organ 

 Mountains, I did not meet with the least traces of aboriginals; neither 

 on inquiry, could I hear of the presence of an individual in the city. 

 Some, it was said, were living at the distance of two or three days' 

 journey, who might have been visited, had other objects been aban- 

 doned. 



