PREFACE, 
The study of the Human Race^ in its various phlis(^§, 
has become greatly extended since the late Dr. Prichard, 
the father of Ethoographical Science in this countn% 
commenced his researches into the physical histt)i7 of ^ 
mankind. The inaugural essay of the young physician 
in the year 1808, was expanded into a large volume in . 
181 3j and further researches, prosecuted without iuter- 
mission during a long and active professional life, ex- 
tended the work until it became one of the most valuable 
contributions to modern scientific literature of wliich 
any nation can boast. The importance of the science 
which the learned physiologist has the merit of intro- 
dneing to this country, is daily becoming more appre- 
ciated. The archmoiogist finds in it a clue to mysteries 
connected with extinct nations, such as those which have 
been buried for ages under the sands of Egj^pt, Persia, or 
Central America j the philanthropist feels his syuipathje^^ 
enlarged as the habits and characteristics of untutoi-ed 
inces become developed to his view; and even the states- 
man considers it necessarj' to refer to the pages of the 
ethnographer, that he may learn how collisions with the 
