44 
equally diverse with their parents. This variety was extensively 
propagated, in consequence of being less able to jump over fences 
than the ordinary breeds of sheep. Among other examples may be 
quoted many sorts of dogs, fan-tailed ]3igeons, etc. 
To this class may be referred, with more than probability, some 
of the more remarkable varieties of the human species. With 
regard to colour, -\ve know that temperature exerts no permanent, 
gradual influence Avhatever. White races remain unchanged at 
slight elevations within the Tropics. The colouring principle 
of black races is inherent in them, and is quite independent of 
external agency. The Ethiopian race is nowhere more black than 
in the vminity of the Cape, where crops are sometimes injured 
by the winter’s frost. 
“ Still, however, it may not be impertinent to remark that, as 
in the brute creation, by a wise provision, the typical characters 
of a species are, in a state of nature, preserved by those in- 
dividuals chiefly propagating whose organisation is most perfect, 
and who, consequently, by their sujierior energy and 2ili3^sical 
pow'ers, are enabled to drive away the Aveak— so, in the human 
race, degeneration is in great measure prevented by the innate 
natural preference ivliich is alwaj^s gh^en to the most comely; 
and this is the principal and main reason ivhy the varieties 
which are produced in savage tribes must generally become extinct 
in the first generation, or, if propagated, ivould most likely be 
left to themselves, and so become the origin of a new race ; 
and in this ive see an adequate cause for the obscurity in Avhich 
the origin of different races is involved The inferior 
animals ap])ear not to have the slightest predilection for superior 
persraal appearance ; the most dissimilar varieties of the same 
species mix as [freely and readily together as the most typical 
individuals ; the most poiverful alone becomes the favourite. 
Instances of this are not rare in the breeds of dogs. 
“ The above is confessedly a hasty and imperfect sketch, a mere 
approximation toivards an apt classification of ‘varieties;’ but if 
it chance to meet the eye, and be fortunate enough to engage the 
attention, of any experienced naturalist ivho shall think it rvorth 
his while to folloiv up the subject and produce a better arrange- 
ment of these diversities, my object in inditing the present article 
Avill be amply recompensed. 
