OUR RACE AND ITS ORIGIN. 
75 
ness ; the latter glows with healthy as though he had absorbed 
the sunbeams.” 
The characteristic marks and distinctions of the various 
sections of the human race are, perhaps, owing in no small 
degree to their peculiar circumstances and customs. In 
founding a new state or dynasty, it is probable some leader 
would be selected on account of physical superiority, dis- 
tinction of form, strength of body or mind ; and whatever 
might be his characteristic features they would be per- 
petuated in some degree amongst his descendants. This 
was the case with the children of Abraham ; a feeling of 
superiority hindered them from mixing with their neigh- 
bours, and kept them a distinct people. So with others 
who in a similar way from their success and prestige have 
fancied it too great an honour for any to be allied with 
them; and thus in process of time a distinctive feature 
would be acquired. 
Tribes commenced under difficulties, hardships, bad fare, 
constant wars, &c., are sure to have some distinguishing 
marks stamped upon them. Infant tribes are often despised 
by more advanced ones, no intermarriages take place be- 
tween them, therefore, confined to themselves, a family 
likeness is thus acquired. This is the case with the Maori. 
The commencement of a tribe is frequently occasioned by 
the hostility of those they secede from — it is in fact a 
kind of banishment. They wander to a fresh locality, in 
general inferior to the one abandoned, and thus are separated 
from those they have left, and for a long time from their 
newly-acquired neighbours, until they gradually become 
acquainted, and cease to view each other with suspicion. 
Dr. Devay, professor of medicine at Lyons, states that 
polydactilism, or a multiplicity of fingers, amongst other 
things, is found where intermarriages of relatives are com- 
mon. He relates that in a secluded spot where the inhabi- 
tants had no communication with other populations, children 
being born with six fingers had become quite common ; and 
that this strange anomaly disappeared some time after a new 
road had been cut through the place. The same is common 
