C »»8 j 
to differ from one another only in the Degree of one 
and the fame Colour; and the Structure of the Skin 
feems to be intirely the fame in both, except in the 
different Thick n efs or Denfity of it, which feems 
more fit to induce a Change of Colour from the dif- 
ferent Tranfmiffion of the Rays of Light, than from 
the different Reflexions of it : For the ultimate com- 
ponent Strata of Seales, of which the Cuticles of 
both white and black People arc compofed, feem to 
be intirely the fame in both, or, at leaf!, but little, 
if at all, altered in their reflecting Powers, whatever 
they may be in their Opacity, or Pellucid i ty , from 
the different Affemblage and Combinations of them : 
Add to this, that the Colours of even the faireft 
Skins look more like a Colour proceeding from 
tranfmitted, than reflected Light ; being more lan- 
guid, or not fo brilliant, as thofc Colours that pro- 
ceed from fuch reflected Rays: For this Reflexion, 
even from the Epidermis itfelf, is of a fhining fiver 
White, as we have above remarked. Moreover, the 
denfer and thicker the Body is, whole Colour pro- 
ceeds from refle&ed Light, the more vivid its Colour 
will be, fuch Bodies being moft capable of refle&ing 
the greateft Quantity of the Rays of Light j but we 
have demonftrated above, that the thinner and rarer 
the Skin is, the more clear and bright its Colour is ; 
which does not therefore, in all Probability, pro- 
ceed from fuch refk&ed Light. I know very well, 
that the different Smoothnefs or Roughnefs of the 
Surface of Bodies tends much to brighten or obfeure 
their Colours ; but the darkeft Skins, as well as thofe 
of Negroes, feem to be as fleck and fmooth on their 
outer Surfaces, as thofe of the faireft Colour. 
But, 
