X 
when compared with the tallest of our Mauritian popula- 
tion. We could give the names of these persons whom 
we have seen here, and who created surprise in all those 
who passed close to them. 
'these different facts bound together form an abnormal 
exception, peculiar to that Archipelago, differing from 
almost every thing that is to be found in the neighbouring 
countries. 
To what cause can be attributed the high stature and 
muscular strength of some of these inhabitants of Sey- 
chelles. Their ancestors, it is said, made long journies 
over the mountains, and frequently crossed the arm of the 
sea which separates the islauds from each other. 
They were men whose sole beverage was water, who 
lived on fish and principally on the flesh of the turtle. 
On the other hand, the salubrity of the climate of 
these islauds is not disputed. It is well known that patients 
suffering from certain affection of the respiratory organs, 
have made satisfactory progress under the influence of the 
climate and that another disease, still more terrible, is 
arrested for a certain time. 
The above facts appeared so singular that the Secretary 
of the Society, thought them deserving of being brought 
to the notice of one of the greatest naturalists of the age, 
one competent to explain them— Mr Ch. Darwin. 
He answered that what the Secretary says about the 
men of the Seychelles, is quite new to him — and that the 
case seems nearly parallel, though of a reverse nature, 
with that of the difference in stature, between the inhabi- 
tants of the lofty volcauic and low coral islets of the 
Pacific. 
Our Society is now in communication with that great 
naturalist, whose motto is : “Cave et Aude On his 
doctrines it is not within our province to pronounce an 
opinion. 
Our correspondence has been sufficiently close to induce 
