[ I0 3 ] 
and Inquiries of the learned in Europe , particularly 
the Academy of Bourdeaux , in their Prize-Problems, 
to which they have received no fatisfadory Anfwer, 
as I have been lately informed ; I have therefore ven- 
tured to offer my Thoughts to you on that Subjed, 
having had frequent Opportunities to make the pro- 
per and necefiary Obfervations ; and which, at lead, 
I hope, may not be unacceptable, that fome one, of 
better Skill, and more Leifure, for fuch nice philo- 
fophical Inquiries, may make more corred and fuller 
Conclufions from them. This Problem fuppofesthe 
Knowledge of the Caufes of Colours in general ; fo 
that if I can deduce the Colour of the Skin from its 
Strudure, &c. in the fame manner, and for the fame 
Reafons, from which the great Newton deduces the 
Colours of other Subftances, it is all I can pretend 
to, which will be as much as that Branch of Philo* 
fophy will permit : And as this Problem will include 
the Caufe of the Colour of the Skin in general, I 
fhall firft inquiie into the Caufe of the Colour of white 
People ; with a Change from that Colour in fome 
preternatural Affedions, whofe Caufes fcem not well 
undcrflood. This I fhall do in fo many Proportions, 
that you may the better perceive how far each Pro- 
pofition is demonftrated, or of what Confequence it 
may be in deducing the ddired Solution of the 
Problem, concerning the Caufe of the Colour of 
Negroes. 
O 
Pro- 
