40 



^ with reference to their dress and manners, 

 than to their organization as evinced by 

 their external characters. Indeed, it must 

 be admitted, that Zoologists themselves 

 have too often overlooked the history of 

 man, as if he was not a link in the great 

 chain of animated nature. A common opi- 

 nion is prevalent that little more is to be 

 discovered respecting the former inhabit- 

 ants of this country ; and that every thing 

 beyond their manners and unmeaning cere- 

 monies must be left to idle conjecture. 

 This, however, is far from being the case. 

 The question of their origin and descent, 

 whether they are to be considered either 

 directly or indirectly of Tatar origin, or, as 

 some have maintained, are an original peo- 

 ple, is capable of further illustration by a 

 careful study of their peculiar physical cha- 

 racters. As much light will be derived 

 from this source, as from the examination of 

 their curious forms of language, which have 

 but a very remote analogy with the dialects 

 of any other nation on the face of the earth. 



Of the quadrupeds distributed over the 

 whole surface of the globe, about six hun- 

 dred species are known and described. 



