1 



14 PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



tirely devoid of vegetation. 2. Other extensive regions are more or 

 less covered with herbage, or produce scattered bushes and stunted 

 w^oody plants, but are destitute of proper forests. 3. A third descrip- 

 tion of territory is in its natural state, clothed with continuous woods. 

 This state of things is likewise represented on the map, not merely 

 from its connexion with geographical botany, but as a point emi- 

 nently illustrative of the history and present condition of the human 

 family. 



Art indeed cuts down the forest, and encroaches slightly on the 

 barren territory ; but yet the above three natural divisions will 

 very nearly correspond with desert, pastoral, and agricultural coun- 

 tries. It is a mistake to suppose, with many, that pastoral or nomadic 

 life is a stage in the progressive improvement of society. The condi- 

 tion is inscribed upon the face of nature ; and widely-extended re- 

 gions minister to the wants of man, where nevertheless cultivation is 

 impossible. 



Take, for instance, the vast interior of the Eastern continent. We 

 have in the first place, a great desert tract extending through 

 Northern Africa, Arabia, and Western India ; the domain of the 

 Barabra, Tuarick, and Arab. The presence of man in this terrestrial 

 A^oid, is often solely dependent on the milk of the camel. Next fol- 

 lows on the north and east, a pastoral region of still greater extent; 

 where the face of nature is somewhat softened, so that the horse and 

 bullock can obtain sustenance ; and hence the development of the 

 Tartar or Scythian tribes. Continue the survey on the. map towards 

 the borders of the continent, and there will not, I apprehend, be any 

 difficulty in distinguishing the principal seats of population and na- 

 tional power. 



In proceeding to the consideration of separate races, I shall adopt 

 an arrangement partly geographical, and shall refer to these several 

 heads, such miscellaneous observations as have appeared worthy of 

 preservation. 



