I 23 9 I 
XL Particulars relative to the Nature and Cuftoms of the Indians 
of North-America. By Mr. Richard M c Caufiand, Surgeon 
to the Kings or Eighth Regiment of Foot ♦ Communicated by 
Jofeph Planta, Efq. Sec. R. & 
Read February 1 6, 1 78 
I T has been advanced by feveral travellers and hiftorians that 
the Indians of America differed from other males of the 
Human fpecies in the want of one very charafieriftic mark of 
the fex, to wit, that of a beard. From this genera] obferva- 
tion, the Efquimaux have been excepted ; and hence it has 
been fuppofed, that they had an origin different from that of 
the other natives of America, Inferences have alfo been drawn,, 
not only with refpefi: to the origin, but even relative to the 
conformation of Indians, as if this was in its nature more 
imperfefl than that of the reft of mankind. 
It appears fomewhat fingular that authors, in deducing the 
origin both of the Efquimaux and of the other Indians of 
America from the old world, (hould never have explained to us 
how the former came to retain their beards, and the latter to 
lay them afide. To afcertain the authenticity of this point 
may perhaps prove of little real utility to mankind; but the 
Angularity of the faff certainly claims the attention of the 
curious: and as it is impoffible to fix any limits to the infe* 
rences.> 
