ON THE V ARIETIES 



the liver, by exciting it to a secretion of more abundant bile, and of a 

 deeper hue. 1 have formerly remarked that this second or colouring 

 layer of the general integument of the skin, differs (as indeed all the 

 layers of the skin do) in their thickness, not only in different kinds of 

 animals, but very frequently in different species, varieties, and even indi- 

 viduals. Thus in our own country we find it more abundant in some per- 

 sons than in others ; and wherever it is most abundant, we find the com- 

 plexion also of a darker and coarser, and greasier appearance, upon a 

 common exposure to the solar light and heat ; an(J we find also, that the 

 hair is almost uniformly influenced by such increase of colour, and is pro- 

 portion ably coarser and darker. 



It is of some consequence to attend to this observation ; for it may 

 serve to explain a physiological fact that has hitherto been supposed of 

 difficult elucidation. 



A certain degree of heat, though less than that of the tropics, appears 

 favourable to increase of stature ; and I have already observed, that the 

 tallest tribes we are acquainted with are situated at the back of Cape 

 Horn, and the Cape of Good Hope. On the contrary, the most diminu- 

 tive we are acquainted with are those that inhabit the coldest regions or the 

 liighest mountains in the world : such are tlie Laplanders and Nova Zem- 

 blians in Europe, the Samoieds, Ostiacs and Tongooses in Asia, and the 

 Greenlanders and Eskimaux in America. Such,>too, are the Kimos of 

 Madagascar, if the account of these pigmy people may be depended upon, 

 whose native region is stated to be the central and highest tracts of the 

 island, forming, according to Commerson, an elevation of not less than 

 sixteen or eighteen hundred fathoms above the level of the soa. 



A multitude of distinct tribes have of late years been discovered in the 

 interior of Africa, in the midst of the black tribes, exhibiting nothing 

 more than a red or copper hue, with lank black hair. And, in like man- 

 ner, around the banks of the lower Orinoco, in Mexico, where the cli- 

 mate is much hotter, there are many clans of a much hghter hue than those 

 around the banks of the Rio Negro, where it is much cooler ; and M. 

 Humboldt has hence ventured to assert that we have here a full proof that 

 climate produces no effect upon the colour of the skin. Such an assertion, 

 however, is far too hasty ; for he should first have shown that the thickness 

 of the mucous web or colouring material is equally abundant in all these 

 instances. For if it be more abundant (as it probably is) in the tribes 

 that are swarthiest, we have reason to expect that a swarthier colour will 

 be found where there is an equal or even a less exposure to solar light and 

 heat ; and we well know that the hair will vary in proportion.^ 

 . H. The effects of different kinds of food upon the anijnal system 

 are as extensive and as wonderful as those of different climates. The 

 fineness and coarseness of the wool or hair, the firmness and flavour of 

 the flesh, and in some degree the colour of the skin, and extent of the 

 stature, are all influenced by the nature of the diet. Oils and spirits pro- 

 duce a peculiar excitement of the liver : and like the calorific rays of the 

 sun, usually become the means of throwing an overcharge of bile into 

 the circulation. Hence the sallow and ohve hue of many who unduly ad- 

 dict themselves to vinous potation, and who at the same time make use of 

 but little exercise. And hence also the dark and dingy colAr of the 



* See Essai Politique surlaNoiiyelle Espagne, par Alexaudre de |Jamb.oldt; &c. pp. 84. 85. 

 4to. Paris, 1808, 1809. 



