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fi^^SSM
HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY
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TYPES OF MANKIND.
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TYPES OF MANKIND:
OB,
Ctjltinlngiriil IReHmrJitB,
BASED UPON THX
ANCIENT MONUMENTS, PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES, AND CBANIA OF RACES,
AXD VPOH THBIB
NATURAL, GEOGRAPHICAL, PHILOLOGICAL, AND BIBLICAL HISTORY:
ILLUSTRATED BT 8SLB0TI0K8 f SOU THB INSDITXD PAPBBS 01
SAMUEL GEORGE MORTON, M.D.,
(un rugaam or vbi aoaudct of lunnuL samraxB ax TBnAUBJKU,)
y«/ D i iif ^*^ ^^ ADDITIOITAL C0HTBIBUTI0H8 rEOM
PROP. L. ^ASSIZ, ILD.; W/tJSHEB, MJ).; AND PROP..H. S. PATTERSON, MJ).:
J. C. NOTT, M.D., AND GEO. R. GLIDDON,
iuiiMi, loumLT V. 1. oonm ax OAXBa
v' _.i ^
— ^ Word! trc thingi; and » null drop of ink,
railing, lika daw upon a thought, prodveea
That wliiob makea tbovaandf, parbapa ""TPV**^ think."-
- PHILADELPHIA: ' - •'''-4/?.0 UNW^^^)
LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO k 00.
LONDON: TBUBNEB ft 00. 1854.
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i harvard university!
V LIRRARY
tan nraniD at rahoiibiiP bail, bt nmBXiiiosrAL ABaAaoDosY wira tbb imhwaw PBOFSBfOBS.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in tha year 1854, by
LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO A CO.,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Coart of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
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TO THE
MEMORY
OP
MORTON.
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SECOND EDITION.
PUBLISHERS' ADVERTISEMENT.
The interest now directed towards Anthropological Researches induces us to issue another edition of the present work, in form and style less costly than the one already furnished to the Subscribers whose names are printed in Appendix 11.
Bound copies of the First (or Subscribers') Edition will con- tinue to be supplied, to order, at seven doUara and a half each.
LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.
Piiblishers.
PhHiApelphia, April 1, 1854.
(yii)
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PREFACE.
BT OBO. B. GLIDIKON.
'*The subject of Ethnology I deem it expedient to postpone. On this I haye collected a mass of new materials, which I hope in time to produce ; but until they haye 'been submitted to the masterly analysis of my honored Ariend, Samuil Giobqb Mo&tok, M. D., Philadelphia, a synopsis from my hands would be premature." *
Little did I expect, while penning the ahove note, that, ere four years had run their course, it would fell to the lot of Dr. Nott and myself to "close ranks" and partially fill the gap left in American Ethnology when the death-shot struck down our friend and leader. To him the "new materials" were submitted: by him they were analyzed with his customary acutenesfi ; and from him would the world have received a series of works superseding the necessity for the present volume, together with any public action of my colleague and i^iyself in that science so indelibly marked by Morton as his own. The 15th of May, 1851, arrested his hand, and left us, with all who knew him, to sorrow at his loss: nor, for eleven months, did the endeavor to raise a literary monument to his memory suggest itself either to Dr. Nott or to myself.
"Types of Mankind" owes its origin to the following incidents: — After a gratifying winter at New Orleans, I visited Mobile in April, 1862 ; partly to deliver a course of Lectures upon " Babylon, Nine- veh, and Persepolis," but mainly to renew with Dr. Nott those interchanges of thought which amity had commenced during my preceding sojourn, in 1848, at one of the most agreeable of cities. Morton and Ethnology ^ it may well be supposed, were exhaustless topics of conversation. Deploring that no one had stepped forward to make known the matured views of the father of our cis- Atlantic school of Anthropology, it occurred to us that we would write one or more articles, in some Review, based upon the correspondence and
» Hand-hook to the Nile; London, Madden, 1849; p. 18, note.
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X PREFACE.
printed papers of Morton in onr several possession. Before doing so, however, we conceived it to be due to Mrs. Morton and her home-circle, to inquire by letter, if such proceeding would obtain their sanction; and also whether, in Mrs. Morton's opinion, there were among the Doctor's manuscripts any that might be eligibly embodied in our pro- posed articles. The graceful readiness with which our proffer was met is best exemplified by the fact that Dr. Nott and myself received im- mediately, by express from Philadelphia, a mass of Dr. Morton's auto- graphs on scientific themes, together with such books and papers as were deemed suitable for our purposes. On a subsequent visit to Philadelphia, I was permitted to select from the Doctor's shelves whatever was held to be appropriate to our studies; and, while this book has been passing through the press, the whole of Dr. Mor- ton's correspondence with the scientific world waa entrusted to Dr. Patterson and myself for mutual reference. But, the unbounded confidence with which we have been honored, whilst most precious to our feelings, enhances greatly our responsibility. Actuated, indi- vidually, by the sole desire to render justice to our beloved friend, each of us has executed his part of the task to the best of his ability : at the same time we can emphatically declare that, until the pages of our work were stereotyped, no member of Dr. Morton's family was cognizant of their verbal contents. Thus much it is my privilege to testify, in order that, if any of the writers have erred in their concep- tions of Morton's scientific opinions, the ontu of such inadvertence may fall upon themselves exclusively. Nevertheless, the singleness of purpose and harmony of method with which Dr. Nott, Dr. Patter- son, and myself, have striven to fulfil our pledges, are guarantees that no erroneous interpretations, if any such exist, can have arisen intentionally. Throughout this volume, Moeton speaks for himself.
The receipt at Mobile of such welcome accretions to our ethno- graphical stock prompted a change of plan. In lieu of ephemeral notices in a Review, Dr. Nott united with me in the projection of " Types of Mankind " ; the scope of which has daily grown larger, in the ratio of the facilities with which we have been signally favored.
On the first printed announcement of our intention [New Orleans, December, 1852], the interest manifested amon^ the jfriends of science was such, that, by March, I counted nearly 500 subscriptions in furtherance of the work.
Prof. Agassiz's very opportune visit to Mobile during April, 1853, led to a contribution from his own pen that bases the Natural History of mankind upon a principle heretofore unanticipated. Dr. Usher kindly volunteered a synopsis of the geological and palw- ontological features of human history ; and Dr. Patterson, fellow-
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PREFACE. XI
citizen, professional colleague, and admiring fiiend of Dr. Morton, undertook the biographical Memoir which justifies this volume's dedication. The frank concurrence of Messrs. Lippincott, Grambo k Co. has removed every obstacle to effective publication ; and thus, through the Uberality and thirst for information, so eminently characteristic of American republicanism, "Types of Mankind,*' invested with abundant signatures, issues into day as one among multitudinous witnesses how, in our own age and land, scientific works can be written and published without solicitation of patron- age from Governments, Institutions,* or Societies ; but solely through the co-operative support of an educated and knowledge -seeking people.
The departments of our undertaking, respectively assumed by Dr. Nott and myself, having been already set forth {infray Part m., Essay I., p. 626), repetition is here superfluous. But While, on my side, I was enabled to devote nearly twelve months of uninter- rupted seclusion (in Baldwin county, Alabama) to my portion of th^ labor, it must not be forgotten, on the other, that my colleague at Mobile performed his task under the ceaseless pressure of the severest professional duties. In view, therefore, of the amount of Dr. Nott's achievements under such adverse circumstances, the reader who may be pleased to criticize the editorship of "Types of Mankind," whilst recognizing my colleague's hand in every line of Part I., and his frequent suggestions throughout Parts IE. and HE., as concerns the substance, will act but justiy if, as regards modes of expression, he should direct any strictures towards myself; whose part it has been occasionally to connect the various sections of this work by reconstructed sentences, or through a few intercalated paragraphs, consequent upon the reception of new " copy" fix>m Dr. Nott during the passage of these sheets through the press. Even at this later stage of our enterprise, owing to the distance between Mobile and Philadelphia, and to the dire havoc produced by a yellow fever simultaneously among our friends around Mobile Bay, I have not possessed the advantage of Dr. Nott's revision of "proof-sheets," nor had he the time to propose alterations.
The Prefiice to my Otia JEgyptiaca assigns sufficient reasons why any aspirations of mine towards excellence in English composition would be vain. "With myself, style is ever subordinate to matter ; but my valued friends, Mr. Bbdwood Fisher, Mr. Lloyd P. Smith, and Dr. Hbney S. Pattbrson, have most obligingly looked over a large portion of the " revises" as they came from the hands of the stereotyper.
I indulge the hope that all those gentiemen who have directly
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XU PBEFAOE.
promoted the scientific interests of our work, will find in it due acknowledgment of their courtesies. For the free use of the col- lection of Egyptological works — the best accessible to the public in this country — belonging to the Philadelphia Library Company, Dr. Morton's brother-in-law, Mr. John Jay Smith, will accept my sincere thanks.
The Publishers state, on another page, the endeavor made to furnish our Subscribers with counter-value for their subscriptions fer in excess of my original promises ; and with these brief expository remarks my pen would stop, did not personal gratitude claim expression.
Those acquainted with my earlier life (spent in the Levant until the age of thirty-two) may, perhaps, read some portions of this volume with feelings of surprise at the range of studies once so alien to my vocations, prospects, aud ambition. By way of explanation let me state, that, whatever may have been the ground-work previ- •ously laid for the prosecution of self-culture, there was one obstacle to progress which would have been insurmountable, when (one among the million seeldng fi^edom) I re-landed in the United States (1842), but fi)r the friendship of a gentieman who — unlike Pharaoh's chief butler that did not " remember Joseph, but forgat him" — had known mo in iUo tempore at Memphis. The munificence of Mr. R. K. Haight of New York obviated all difficulty by placing the necessary materials for study at my disposal ; and not content with fiicilitating the attainment of my desires by his encouraging acts at home, Mr. Haight, on two occasions, enabled me to seek instruction abroad, at the fountain-sources of Paris, London, and Berlin. The pulsations of a grateful heart, and the hope that some readers may deem favore so magnanimous not uselessly bestowed, are the only reciprocities that can at present be tendered to him by
G. B. G.
Fhtlapblphta, l0t Jan., 1S64.
POSTSCRIPTUM.
BY J. C. NOTT.
I have just received from Philadelphia proof-%heet$ of the above PrefiEtce, and hasten to add a few words.
Above t^ree hundred and sixty wood-cuts, besides many litho- graphic plates, adorn this volume, and upon them, to some extent, depend its value and success. The reader can well imagine the
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immense labor atid heavy expense required to prepare a series of illustrations of this kind, wherein minnte accuracy is so indispensable, and where such accuracy can be attained only through long-con- tinued and patient industry combined with high artistic skill. So great, indeed, were the difficulties to be overcome, that the authors could never for a moment have entertained the idea of publishing a work like "Types of Mankind," had it not been for the aid gener- ously proffered by Mrs. Gliddon, the accomplished lady of my col- league. To her amateur pendl are we indebted for the drawings of more than three hundred of otir wood-cuts, together with those for tiie lithographed Berlin-effigies.
To say nothing of the outiay which these illustrations must other- wise have involved, it would have been impossible for us to obtain, here, an equal conformity to ori^nals through hired artists. Mrs* Gliddon's hand was stimulated by no mercenary considerations ; and we have enjoyed the incalculable advantage of having her near us at Mobile, for more than twelve months; laboring with us and for us: ever ready to alter or amend as our caprice, or necessity, might dic- tate. Although Mrs. Gliddon was unaccustomed to drawing on wood, and notwithstanding that the wood-engravers at Philadelphia (compelled, owing to the nature of the case, to carve from her drawings alone without recurrence to the originals), may here and there have slightly erred, I venture to assert that no scientific work in our language presents as long a series of illustrations more reliable for iaithfalness to originals.
Many of the heads, however, are given in simple outline, and the majority have required reduction; but persons who are familiar with the great works of Rosellini, ChampoUion, Piisse, Lepsius, Botta, Flandin, Layard, Dumoutier, &c., from which these figures have been copied, will at once recognize a truthfulness in Mrs. Gliddon's designs (viewed ethnologically) which speaks more than the enco- miums of an admiring friend.
Nor is it proper that I should close this Po9t$crtpt without some acknowledgment to her husband. In the first place, it is mere justice to state, that Parts 11. and HI. are almost exclusively his own work : because, although not uninformed on the points therein treated, and agreeing in their scientific results, I wish to mention that the materials, conception, and execution of these portions of our volume are due to him. Of Part L, on the other hand, a fuller share of responsibility must fitU upon myself. The special province, which I have attempted to explore, is the Natural HUtory proper of mankind i- and I have sought to illustrate it through the physical and linguistic history of primeval races, as deduced fit>m the time-worn pionuments of nations
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XIV PREFAOE.
by the leading archeeologists o£onr nineteenth centory. This effort has also been much £Eu;ilitated through the zeal and experience of my collaborator, Mr. Gliddok.
It is with no small gratification I now feel assured that, through Dr. Pattbeson's effective "Memoir," Morton's cherishedt fiame will evermore preserve its rightful place among men of science; and, again, that thDse grand Truths, for which I have long "fought and bled," are at last established by the unanswerable " Sketch" of our chief naturalist, Prof. Agassiz ; as well as triumphantiy confirmed through the teachings of scholars who have investigated the records of antiquity in Egypt, China, Assyria, India, Palestine, and other Oriental countries.
J. 0. N. MoBiLB, Ala., Jamiaiy 12tb, 1854.
. I
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CONTENTS.
FBONTISPIECE— PoBTBAiT or Samusl Obobgi Mobtoh. [SUeUSngravinff.]
DEDICATION «^«' To Tm Mmioet of Moetok" ▼
PREFACE— BT Geo. R. Guddob ^ - ix
PoiUer^ftum--' BY J. C. Nott - zii
(!) MEMOIR — *<KoTiOB or thb Lutb ahd SciEimno Labobs or thb late Samuel
Geo. Mobtob, M. J>,"~'-€oninlmted hrfProf, Heeet S. Pattbesob, M.D. z?ii
0 SKETCH — "or the Katubal Pboyimcis or the Ahimal Wobld abb thbib Rela- tion TO THE DirrBBBBT Ttpbs or Mab " — eontributed by Prof, L. AoABSiz, LL. D. [ WUh colored Uthographie Tableau and Map."] Iviii
INTRODUCTION so "Ttpss or Mabkibd" — bt J. C. Non 49
PART I.
Chap. I. — (hioaBAPHioAL Dutbibutiob or Abimals abb thb Races or Meb 62
n. — Gebbbal Rbmabks OB Types or Mabkibd., 80
IIL — SPEOino Ttpes — Cauoasiab 88
IT. — Phtsioal Histobt or, the Jews »- •«• Ill
V. — The Cauoastab Types oabbied thbovoh Eotptiab Mobbmbbts ..»« 141
YI. — Atbioab Types » 180
YIL — Egypt abd Egyptiabs. [Fowr Uthographie PUaet."] 210
^ Tm.— Negbo Types - 246
IX. — Amebioab abb othbb Types — Abobioibal Races or Akebica 272
X. — EzcEBPTA PBOM Mobtob's ibedited Mabbscbipts 298
0 XL — Geology abd Paljeobtolooy, ib Cobbeotiob with Humab Obioibs —
contributed hff yiiLLiKM. Usheb, M. D ^ ; 827
Xn. — Hybbidity or AbimXls, ytbweb ib Cobbeotiob with the Natubal
HisTOBY or Mabkibd — BY J. C. Nott 872
^>^XIIL — COMPABATITB AbATOMY OP RaCBS — BY J. C. NOTT • 411
0 («0,
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XVI CONTENTS.
PART II.
PACT
Geap. XrV. — The Xth Chapter of Genesis — P&eliminabt Remabks 466
Sect, A, — Analtsis of the Hebrew Nomsnolatube 469
B, — Obsertations on, the annexed Genealogical Tableau
OF THE **SONS OF NOAH " ^ 651
Qenealogical Tableau 652
C, — Obsebvations on the AoooMPAiTTiNa *<Map of the
World" 652
Lithographic tinted Map^ exhibiting the Countries more or less known to the ancient Writer of Xth Genesis 662
2>. — The Xth Chapter of Genesis modernized, in its Nomen- clature, to display popxtlarlt, and in modern English, the Meaning of its ancient Writer 658
XV. — Bibuoal Ethnographt : —
Sect, E. — Terms, universal and specific. 557
F. — Structure of Genesis I., 11., and m 561
Q, — Cosmas-Indicopleustes 666
CosMAs's Map {wood^eut'\ 669
iT.— Antiquity of the Name "ADaM" « 672
PART III. — Supplement — -BY Geo. R Gleddon.
Essay I. — Arch^ological Introduction to the Xth Chapter op Genesis 675
IL — Paljsographic Excursus on the Art of Writing 628
Table — <* Theory of the Order of Deyelopment in Human Writings'* ... 630
III. — Mankind's Chronology : —
Introductory • 653
Chronology — Egyptian 667
Chinese .«*.«. 689
Assyrian 697
Hebrew 702
Hindoo 715
APPENDIX I. —Notes and Bcferences to Parts I. and II.. 717
IL — Alphabetical List of StBSCRiBERS to "Types of Mankind"... 781
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® MEMOIR
THE LIFE AND SCIENTIFIC LABORS or
SAMUEL GEORGE MORTON.
BY HENRY S. P^ATTERSON, M. D.,
KMEBITUS PROFESSOB OT MATERIA. XBDICA AND THBRAPBDTICS IN THB MEDICAL DBPARTICEHT OF
PBimSTLYABIA OOLLBGB ; PBLLOW OF THB C0LLB6B OP PHTBICIAH 8 ; BBCOBDIKO
. 8BCRBTABT OP THB MBDICAL SOCnTT OP THB 8TATB OP PBUHBTLyAJflA.
When the authors of the present work, pressed with the labor of preparing for the printer their abundant materials, first suggested that I should assist them by iurnishing a notice of the scientific life of our deceased fiiend and leader in Ethnology, I hesitated somewhat to undertake the task, feeling that the selection, dictated by their partial fiiendship, might by others be ^eemed inappropriate, and myself considered deficient in those relations which would warrant the assumption of the office. Subsequent reflection, however, con- vinced me that an acquaintance of fifteen years, approaching to inti- macy,— ^frequent professional and social intercourse, — my position in the Medical Faculty, that was founded mainly by his labors, — devo- tion in a great degree to the same studies, — community of sentiment in regard to the topics of most interest to both, — that all these com- bined to constitute a sufficient reason why I should fireely accept the duty assigned me. I do it cheerfully, for to me it is a grateful duty and a source of pleasure, thus to be allowed to bear testimony to the worth and services of the great and good man whom we all had so much cause to love and honor. His life I do not propose to write. There is but little in the quiet daily walk of any civilian, to ftimish a theme for biographical narrative. That of Morton was eminently placid and regular ; and all that can be said upon it has already been well and eloquently caressed in the able addresses of Professors
(XTii)
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XVUl HEMOIB OF SAMUEL GEORGE MOR^^ON.
Meigs, Wood, and Grant* To Dr. Wood also we are indebted for his exposition of Morton's eminent services to medical science, both as a teacher and writer ; a point too frequently overlooked in regard- ing him in the more prominent light of a ITaturalist. Passing over these topics, my object will be to consider mainly his contributions to Natural Science, and especially to Ethnology. As introductory to a work upon anthropological subjects, we desire to present Morton as the Anthropologist, and as virtually the founder of that school of Ethnology, of whose views this book may be regarded as an authentic exponent.
Let me be permitted, however, a few words in relation to the per- sonal character and private worth of Morton. At the mention of his name there arise emotions which press for utterance, and which it would do viol^ice to my feelings to leave unexpressed If I have felt this aflTection for him, it is only what was shared by all who knew him well. What was most peculiar in him was that magnetic power by which he attracted and bound men to him, and made them glad to serve him. This influence was especially manifested, as I shall have occasion to observe again, in the collection of his Cabinet of Crania. In looking over his correspondence now, it is surprising to see the number of men, so different one from another in every re- spect, who in all quarters of the globe were laboring without expec- tation of reward to secure a cranium for Morton, and to read the reports of their varied successes and disappointments. In his whole deportment, there was an evident singleness of purpose and a candor, open as the day, which at once placed one at his ease. Combined with this was a most winning gentleness of manner, which drew one to him as with the cords of brotherly affection. He possessed, more- over, in a remarkable degree, the fiiculty of imparting to others his own enthusiasm, and filling them, for the time at least, with ardor for his own pursuit Hence, in a measure, his success in enlisting the numerous collaborators, so necessary to him in his peculiar studies. It may be afltaied that no man ever cftme within the sphere of his influence without forming for him some degree of
* A memoir of Samufil G«orge Morton, M. D., Ute President of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, by Charles D. Meigs, M. D. Read Not. 6th, 1851, and published by direction of the Academy: Philada. 1851.
A Biographical Memoir of Samuel George Morton, M. D., prepared by appointment of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, and read before that body No?. 8d, 1852, by George B. Wood, M. D., President of the CoUege : Philada. 1858.
Sketch of the Life and Character of Samuel George Morton, M. D. Lecture, introdnO' tory to a course of Anatomy and Physiology in the Medical Department of PennsyWanit College. Deliyered Oct. 18th, 1851, by William R. Grant, M. I). Published by request of the Class: Philada. 1852
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MEMOIR OF SAMUEL GEORGE MORTON. XIX
personal attachment. His circle of attached friends was therefore large, and the expression of regret for his untimely loss general and sincere.
It was in London, and.while seated at the hospitable board of Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, (to whom I had been introduced by a letter from Morton,*) that I first heard the news of his decease. He was the subject of an animated and interesting conversation at the moment, (for Dr. H. and he had been classmates at Edinburgh,) when a gentleman entered with an American newspaper received by the morning's mail, and containing the sad intelligence. A cloud came over every counte- nance, and every voice was raised in an exclamation of sudden grief and regret ; for he was more or less known to all present. My next appointment for that day was with Mr. S. Birch, of the Archseological department of the British Museum, who had been a correspondent of Morton, and could appreciate his great worth. During tte day, Mr. Birch or myself mentioned the melancholy tidings to numerous gentiemen, in various departments of that great institution, and always with the same reply. All knew his name, and felt that in his decease the cause of sdelkce had suffered a serious deprivation.
And this seemed to me his true fame. Outside the walls of this noble Temple of Science rolled on the turmoil of the modem Babylon, with its world of business, of pleasure, and of care, to all which the name of Morton was unknown, and from which its mention could call up no response. Within these walls, however, and among a body of men whom a more than princely munificence enables to devote themselves to labor like his own, he was uni- versally recognized and appreciated, and mourned as a leading spirit in their cosmopolite fraternity. But always there was this peculiarity to be noticed, that wherever a man had known Morton personally at all, he mourned not so much for the untimely extinction of an intellectual light, as for the loss of a beloved personal friend. Certainly the man who inspired others with this feeling, could him- self have no cold or empty heart. On the contrary, he overflowed
* Among the letters with which Dr. Morton fsTored me,u>n my Tisit to Europe, wm one to Dr. Alexander Hamiay of Glasgow. This he partionlarly wished me to deli?er, and to bring him a report of his old fHend ; for Dr. H. had been aa intimate of his sttident days, ilthoQgh their correspondence had long been interrupted. The letter was' written in a playful mood, and contained sportire allusions to their student life at Edinburgh, and a wish that they might meet again. On reaching Glasgow late in May, I sought Dr. H., and found that he had recently deceased. Morton himself, as I afterwards learned, had then also ceased to breathe. That letter, so full of genial Tiracity and present life, was flrom the hand of one detd man addressed to another I And should they not meet again T Bather had they not already met where the darkness had become day ! It is a beautiful and oonsolatoTy belief; and one that the subject of this notice could undoubUngly hold and rejoice in.
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XX MEMOIR OP SAMUEL GEORGE MORTON.
with all kindly and gentle affections. ' Quiet and unobtrusive in man- ners, and fond of the retirement of study, it was only in the privacy of the domestic circle that he could be rightly known ; and those that were privileged to approach nearest the Sanctum Sanctorum of his happy home, could best see the full beauty of his character. That sacred veil cannot be raised to the public eye, but beneath its folds is preserved the pure memory of one who illustrated every relation of life with a new grace that was all his own, and who, in departing, has left behind him an impression on all hearts, which not the most exacting affection could wish in any respect other than it is.
The early training of Morton was in strict accordance with the principles of the Society of Friends, of which his mother was a mem- ber. His school education — ^whose deficiencies he always mentioned with regret, and remedied by sedulous labor in after years — was throughout of that character, and had all the consequent merits and demerits. It is a system which represses the imagination and senti- ments, while it cultivates carefully the logical powers ; and which strives to turn all the energies of the pupil's mind toward the useful arts, rather than what may be deemedf merely ornamental accom- plishments. When it carries him beyond the rudiments, it is usually into the higher mathematics and mechanical philosophy. Its aim is utility, even if necessary at the expense of beauty. It therefore does not generally encourage the study of the dead languages, with its incidental belles-lettres advantages, and free access to poets and rhetoricians. This plan of education I believe to be an unsuitable, and even an injurious one for a youth of cold temperament and dull sensibilities. When, however, the subject of its operation is one of opposite tendencies, so decided as to be the better for repression, it may become not only useful, but the best training for that particular case. Such I conceive to have been the fact in regard to Morton. Endowed by nature with a deUcate and sensitive tem- perament, with warm affections, a keen sense of natural beauties, a fertile imagination, and that nice musical appreciation which made him delight in the accord of measured sounds, he had an early passion for poetical reading and composition. Even in boyhood he wrote very creditable verses ; and his later productions, — for he continued to indulge the muse occasionally to the end of his life, although he wouM not publish, — often rose considerably above mediocrity.
The following hues may answer as an average specimen of his easy flow of versification, as well as of his youthful style of thought and feeling. They were written on the occasion of a visit to Kilcoleman Castle, county Cork, Ireland, where Spenser lived, and is believed to have written his immortal poem.
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LINES
WBITTEN ON A BLANK LEAF OF 8PEN8EB*8 "FABRY QUEENS." L
Through many a winding maze in ** Faery Lande*'
0 Spenser ! I have followed thee along ;
Aye, I have laughed and sigh'd at thy command, And joy'd me in the magic of thy song : Wild are thy numbers, but to them belong The fire of Genius, and poetic skill *; 'Tis thine to paint with inspiration strong, The fate of knight, or dame more knightly still. To sway the feeling heart, and rouse it at thy wilL
IL
And musing still upon the fairy dream,
1 sought the hall oft trod by thee before ; I bent me clown by MuUa's gentle stream. And, looking far beyond, gazed fondly o*er Old Ballyhoura, where in days of yore
Thou watched thy flocks with all a shepherd's pride ; And fancy listened as to catch once more Thy Harp's loT'd echo f^om the mountain side, — But ah ! no harp is heard in all that region wide I
IIL The flocks are fled, and in the enchanted hall No Toice replies to yoice ; but there ye see The Uy clasp the sad and mould'ring wall, As if to twine a votive wreath for thee : An — all is desolate, — and if there be A lonely sound, it is the raven's cry ! Let years roll on, let wasting ages flee. Let earthly things delight, and hasten by. But thy immortal name and song shall never die !
Had this inherent tendency been fostered, he would doubtless have taken a high rank among our American poets. Certainly he would have been another man than we have known him. Perhaps his nervous temperament, delicate fibre, acute feelings and ardent sym- pathies, might have been developed into the same super-sensitiveness we have seen in John Keats and other gifted minds of a constitution similar to his own. But the tendency was checked and repressed from the outset by his domestic influences, by his teachers, and sub- sequently by himself. When he devoted himself to a life of science, he was earnest to cultivate that style of thought and composition which accorded with his pursuits ; for only by severe mental disci- pline, and long-continued effbrt, could he have acquired that cau-
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tion and rigid accuracy of diction, which characterize his produc tions. His school appears to have been nnsatisfactoiy to him, for he never had a fondness for the mathematics, the main topic of study. He was nevertheless of a studious turn, reading industriously, and with special interest, all the works on History to which he had access. It is probable that in these readings was laid the foundation of a taste for those anthropological studies which have since rendered him famous, and in the prosecution of which his extensive historical knowledge gave him eminent fijcilities.
At the same time probably he imbibed his first fondness for Natural Science. Prom his stepfather, (for his mother married again when he was thirteen years old,) he derived a taste for and knowledge of mineralogy and geology, the first branches to which he turned his attention.
Destined originally for mercantile pursuits, young Morton soon found the atmosphere of the counting-house uncongenial to him. He resolved to adopt the medical profession, which was indeed the only course open, to one of his tastes, and in his circumstances. The Society of Friends, by closing the Pulpit and the Bar against the able and aspiring among its youth, has given to Medicine many of its brightest ornaments, both in Great Britain and in this country. This fact will -serve to explain the great success of so many physicians of that persuasion, as well as the preponderating infiuence of the medical profession in all Quaker neighborhood^. May not the eminence of Philadelphia in medicine be accounted for, in part at least, in the same way ? Carlyle has said that to the ambitious fancy of the Scot- tish schoolboy " the highest style of man is the Christian, and the highest Christian the teacher of such." Hence his ultimate aspira- tion is for the clerical position. But to the aspiring youth among Friends there is but the one road to intellectual distinction, — that is through medicine and its cognate sciences. The medical preceptor of Morton was the late Dr. Joseph Parrish, then in the height of his popularity. Elevated to his prominent position against early obstacles, and solely by force of character, industry, and pro- bity, he was extensively engaged in practice ; and, although uncon- nected with any institution, his office overflowed with pupils. His mind was practical and thoroughly medical, and so entirely did his pro- fession occupy it, that he seemed to me never to allow himself to think upon other topics, except religious ones, in which also he was deeply interested. A strict and conscientious Friend, he illustrated all the best points in that character. As the remarkable graces of his person proverbially gave a beauty to the otherwise ungainly garb of his sect, and rendered it attractive upon him, so the graces of his spirit, obli- terating all that might otherwise have been harsh or angular, contri-
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bdted to form a character gentle, kindly, lovely, that made him the light of the sick chamber, and a comforting presence at many a dying bed. To no member of our profession could the proud title of Opifer be more truly applied, for his very smile brought aid to the suffering, and courage to the despondent. The reader will pardon me this digression ; but as the Highland clansman could not pass by without adding another stone to the monumental cairn where reposed his departed chief, so can I never pass by the mention of his name with- out offering some tribute, however humble, of reverence and respect, to the memory of my excellent old master. Such was the teacher from whom mainly Morton also received the knowledge of his pro- fession; though, had the influence of Dr. Parrish alone controlled his mind, it would have been confined rigorously to the channels of purely medical study and investigation. But, in order to provide adequate tuition for his numerous pupils. Dr. Parrish had associated with himself several young physicians as instructors in the various branches. Among them was Dr. Richard Harlan, then enthusiasti- cally devoted to the study of Natural History, between whom and the young student there was soon established a bond of sympathy in congeniality of pursuits. That the friendship thus originated was subsequently interrupted, was in no inanner the fault of Morton, to whom it was always a subject of regret. Harlan has now been dead some years, and although by no means forgotten in the world of science, he has not been accorded the full measure of his merited distinction among American naturalists. An unfortunate infirmity of temper, which was not at all calculated to conciliate attach- ments, but rather the reverse, deprived him of the band of friends who should have watched over his fame, and so his memory has suf- fered by default. Yet at one period he was the leading auAority on this side the Atlantic in certain departments of Zoology. By him Morton appears to have been introduced to the Academy of Natural Sciences, in whose proceedings he was afterwards to take such an important part. He attained his majority in' January 1820, received his Diploma of Doctor of Medicine in March, and was elected a member of the Academy in April of the same year. He had pro- bably taken an active interest in its affidrs before this time, although not eligible to membership by reason of age ; for in one of his later letters now before me, he speaks of it as an institution for which he had labored, "boy and man," now some thirty years.
Soon after this last event he sailed for Europe, on a visit to his uncle, James Morton, Esq., of Clonmel, Ireland, a gentleman for whom he always preserved a high regard and grateful affection. His transatlantic friends seem to have attached but little value to an
B
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American diploma, and desired him to possess the honors of the University of Edinburgh, then but little passed beyond the zenith of its glory. After spending the summer at his uncle's house, he went to Edinburgh, where he heard the last course of lectures, deU- vered by the chaste and classical Gregory. The American schools not being recognized by the University as ad eundem^ he found him- self obliged to attend the full term of an under-graduate. This would have left him ample leisure as far as his mere college studies were concerned ; for the youth who had graduated with approbation under the tuition of "Wistar, Physick, and James, and their compeers, could not have fallen far short of the requisitions of any other Medical Faculty in Christendom. But his time was not spent in idleness. He sedulously cultivated his knowledge of the classical tongues, hitherto imperfect, and he devoted himself to the study of French and Italian, both of which languages he learned to read with facility. He also attended with great interest the lectures of Professor Jameson on Geology, thus confirming and reviving his early fondness for that branch of science. After his return to America, he presented to the Academy a series of the green-stone rocks of Scotland, and a section of Salisbury Craig near Edinburgh, collected by himself at this time. In October 1821, he visited Paris, and spent the winter there mainly in clinical study. The next summer was devoted to a tour in Italy and other portions of the continent, and in the fall he returned again to Edinburgh, where, afl^r attendance upon another session, he re- ceived the honors of the doctorate. His printed thesis* may be taken as a fair exponent of his mental condition and calibre at this period. It is very like himself, and yet with a difference from him as we knew him later in life. It is quiet and indeed even simple in tone, without affectation and without any of the declamation in which young writers are so apt to indulge. Its style is clear and sufficiently concise, and as a piece of Latinity it is correct and graceful. It takes up the subject of bodily pain, and considers it in regard to its causes, its diagnostic value, and itS effects, both physical and psychical, Reaving very little more to be said with regard to it. But it is evident through- out that the essay is the production of one who is more ambitious of the reputation of the litUrateurihdiXi of the savant; who writes, — ^and that probably marks the distinction, — with his face turned to his auditory rather than to his subject. The sentence marches some- times with a didactic solemnity almost Johnsonian, while the fre- quency of the poetical references and quotations, — ^Latin and Italian ns well as English, — and the facile fitness with which they glide into
• TenUmen Inaogorale de Corporis Dolore, etc. — ^Edinburgi, m.d.cccxxiit.
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the text, show how familiar they must have been to the mind of the author. Indeed Edinburgh was, at the period in question, the prin- cipal ceatre of taste and philosophy, as well as of science, in Great Britain ; and it is not likely that one of Morton's literary turn and studious habits would miss the opportunity to pasture in either of these rich fields. The ethical tone of this production is also worthy of note. It is characteristic of the writer, and grew in a great mea- sure out of his mental constitution, which, free from all violence of passion, was habitually cheerful, hopeful, and kindly. Hence coihes that beautiful spirit of philosophical optimism, which, perceiving in all seeming evil only the means to a greater ultimate good, attains all that stoicism proposed to itself, by the shorter way of a cheerful and unquestioning resignation to the Divine Will, not because it is omni- potent and irresistible, but solely because it is the wisest and best. The following extracts will sufficientiy explain my meaning : —
'* Almarerum Parens nil fhistra fecit; ne dolor qnidem absque suis nsibos est; et semper oogimur earn agnoscere velati fidelem qnamvis ingratum monitorem, et quoqne inter pras- sidla vitse nonnonquam numerandum." — (p. 9.)
« Dolor enim nos nascentes aggreditor, per totam yitam insidiosus comitator, et quasi nunquam satiandos; adest etiam morientibus, horamque supremam angoiibos infestat. At ego tamen Dolorem, qnanqaam invisum, et ab omnibus, quantum fieri potest, ab ipsis semotum, non omnino inutilem depinxi, sed potius eum protuli, ad vitam conservandam neeessarium, a Deo Optimo Maximo constitutum/' — (p 87.)
This conviction animated Morton throughout his life, consoled him in sufifering, cheered him in sickness, and gave to his deportment much of its calm and beautiful equanimity.*
* The subjoined graceful lines breathe the same spirit They occur among his MSS. with the date of May 1828. I quote them as illostratiye of the thought aboye indicated.
THl SPIRIT or DISTINT.
Spirit of Light ! Thou glance dlTine
Of Heayen*8 immortal fire, I kneel before thy hallowed shrine
To worship and admire. I cannot trace thy glorious flight
Nor dream where thou dost dwell. Yet canst thou g^ard my steps aright
By thine uneartl^y speU.
I listen for thy Toice in vain,
£*en when I deem thee nigh ; Yet ere I yenture to complain,
Thou know'st the reason why ; And oft when, worldly cares forgot,
I watch the yaeant air, I see thee not, — I hear thee not,—
Yet knew that thou art there.
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In 1824, he returned to PhUadelphia, and commenced his career as a practitioner of medicine. He seems immediately to have resumed bis place and labors in the Academy of Natural Sciences, which, in the next year, was deprived of the active services of some of its most efficient members, hj. the removal of Messrs. Maclure, Say, Troost, Lesueur, and others, to New Harmony, whither they went to parti- cipate in the benevolent but ill-starred social experiment of Robert Owen. .It was a pleasant dream of a good heart and a visionary braiti, and has now feded away from every one but the originator, who holds it still in his extreme old age with the same fervor as in his ardent youth ; but then it had many firm.believers. So enthusiastic was Maclure especially in its advocacy, that he declined about this period to assist the Academy in the erection of a new Hall, from a conviction that, in the reorganization of society, living in cities would be abandoned, and their edifices thus left untenanted and useless. One cannot imagine a body of more simple-hearted, less worldly, and less practical men, than the Philadelphia naturalists who went to recon- stitute the framework of society on the prairies of Indiana ; and it is impossible to repress a smile at their Quixotism, even while one heaves a sigh for the bitterness of their disappointment.
They left in 1825, and the first papers of Morton were read in 1827. His main interest still seems to have been in Geology. In the year mentioned he published an Analysis of Tabular Spar from Bucks County y and the next year some Geological Observations^ based upon the notes of his friend, Mr. Vanuxem. About this time his attention was turned to the special department of Palseontology, by an exami- nation of the organic remains of the cretaceous formation of New Jersey and Delaware ; and with this his active scientific life may be regarded as commencing.
Some few of the fossils of the 'New Jersey marl had been noticed by Mr. T. Say, and by Drs. Harlan and Dekay ; but no thorough in- vestigation of this interesting topic was attempted until Morton as- sumed the task. He labored in it industriously, being assisted in the collection of materials by his scientific friends. Three papers on the subject were published in 1828, and from this time the series was continued, either in Silliman's Journal or the- Journal of the Aca-
And when with heedless step, too near
I tempt destniotioxi's brink. Deep, deep, within my soul I hear
Thy voice, and backward shrink. The poisoned shaft, by thee controlled.
Speeds swift and harmless by ; Bat, when the days of life are told.
Thou smitest — and we die I
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demy, uDtil it closed with the fourteenth paper in 1846. In 1884, the, results then obtained were collected and published in a volume illustrated with nineteen admirable plates.*
This book at once gave its author a reputation and status in the scientific world, and called forth the warm commendations of Mr. Mantell and other eminent Palseontologists. It traces the formation in question along the borders of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico from New Jersey to Louisiana, following it by the identification of its organic remains. The great body of the work is original, scarcely any of the species enumerated having ever been noticed before. Sub- sequent researches enabled him to add considerably to this collection, and, among others, to describe a species of fossil crocodile {0. elavi- rostris) entirely new and differing considerably in structure from its congeners hitherto known. In regard to the fossils of the cretaceous series, he is still the principal authority.
Nor was he neglectful of the other branches of Natural Science, although too well aware of the value of concentrated effort to peril his own success, by a too wide diffusion of his labors. Still he miun- tained a constant interest in the operation of eveiy department of the Academy, and watched its onward progress with solicitude and satis&ction. To the Geological and Mineralogical, and especially to the Paleeontological collection, he was a liberal contributor. Among the papers read by him before the Academy was one in 1881 on " some Parasitic "Worms," another in 1841, on " an Albino Racoon,*' and a third in 1844, on " a supposed new species of Hippopotamus.*' This animal, which has been called H. minor vel LiberiensiSj was en- tirely unknown to Zoology until described by Morton, who received its skull from Dr. Goheen, of Liberia, and at once recognized its diversity from- the known species.t Notwithstanding the published opinion of Cuvier, that the field of research was exhausted in regard to the Mammalia, our gifted townsman was enabled to add an im- portant pachyderm to the catalogue of Mammalogy, and that too from the other hemisphere.
Let it not be supposed that, amid these absorbing topics of research, he relaxed for a moment his attention to his professional pursuits. On the contrary, he was constantly and largely engaged in practice, and, at his decease, was one of the leading practitioners of our city. Neither did he allow himself to fall behind his professional colleagues in the literature of medicine. He was among the first to intro- duce on this side the Atiantic the physical means of diagnosis in
* Synopsis of tbe Organic Bemains of the Cretaceons Group of the United States. By Samnel George Morton. Philadelphia: Key and Biddle. lSd4. t The Academy has recently (Janaary 1862) receiyed a specimen of it
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thoracic affections. He was also one of the earliest investigators of the morbid anatomy of Phthisis Pulmonalis ; and his volume on that subject, although superseded by the later and more extensive re- searches of the French pathologists, is a monument of his industry and accuracy, and a credit to American medicine.* He also edited Mackintosh's Practice of Physic, with notes, which add materially to its value to the American physician.f In 1849, he published a text- book of anatomy, remarkable for its clearness and succinctness, and the beauty of its illustrations.^ He was early selected by Dr. Parrish as one of his associates in teaching, and lectured upon anatomy in that connexion for a number of years. He subsequently filled the chair of anatomy in the Medical Department of Pennsylvania College fix)m 1839 to 1843. As a lecturer he was clear, calm, arid self- possessed, moving through his topic with the easy regularity of one to whom it was entirely familiar. He served for several years as one of the physicians and clinical teachers of the Alms-house Hospital, and it was there that most of his researches on consumption were made. He was a Fellow of the College of Physicians, but did not take an active part in their proceedings, from the fact that their stated meetings occurred on the same evenings aa those of the Academy, where he felt it his first duty to be. His only contribution to their printed Transactions is a biographical notice of his valued friend. Dr. George McClellan, prepared by request of the College.
We now come to a portion of his scientific labors, upon which I must be allowed to dwell at greater length. I refer of course to his researches in Anthropology, commencing with what may be desig- nated Comparative Cranioscopy, and running on into general Ethno- logy. The object proposed primarily being the determination of ethnic resemblances and discrepancies by a comparison of crania, (thus perfecting what Blumenbach had left lamentably incomplete,) the work could not be commenced until the objects for comparison were brought together. The results of Blumenbach were invalidated by the small number of specimens generally relied upon by him ; for in a case where allowance is to be made for individual peculiarities of form and stature, the conclusions gain infinitely in value by exten- sion of the comparison over a sufficient series to neutralize this disturbing element. There was therefore necessaiy, first of all, a
* niustrations of Pulmonary Consamption, its Anatomical Characters, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment. Yiith twelve colored plates. Philadelphia : 1884.
f Principles of Pathology and Practice of Physio. By John Mackintosh, M. D., &c. First American from the fourth London edition. "With notes and additions. In 2 yoIs. Phila- delphia: 1835.
X An niustrated System of Human Anatomy, Special, General, and Microscopic Phi- ladelphia: 1849.
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collection of crania, and that not of a few specimens, but widely enough extended to give reliable results. The contemplation of these facts shows the magnitude and boldness of the plan, which would have sufficed to deter most men from the attempt. But Mor- ton was not easily discouraged, and although he doubtless occupied a wider field in the end than he proposed to himself in the outset, it is evident that from the beginning he contemplated a full cabinet of universal Craniology, Human and Comparative. His own account of the commencement of the collection is as follows : " Having had occasion, in the summer of 1830, to deliver an introductory lecture to a course of Anatomy, I chose for my subject The different forms of the skull as exhibited in the Jive races of men. Strange to say, I could neither buy nor borrow a cranium of each of these races ; and I finished my discourse without showing either the Mongolian or the Malay. Fordbly impressed with this great deficiency in a most im- portant branch of science, I at once resolved to make a collection for myself."* Dr. Wood {Memoir^ p. 13,) states that he engaged in this stucjy soon after he commenced practice ; and adds, " among the earliest recollections of my visits to his office is that of the skulls he had collected." The selection of the topic above-mentioned shows that he was already interested in it.
The increase was at first slow, but the work was persevered m with a constancy and energy that could know no failure. Every legitimate means was adopted, and every attainable influence brought to bear upon the one object. Time, labor, and money, were expended with- out stint. The enthusiasm he felt himself he imparted to others, and he thus enlisted a body of zealous collaborators who sought contri- butions for him in every part of the world. Many of them sympa- thized with him in his scientific ardor, and quite as many were actuated solely by a desire to serve and oblige the individual. A friend of the writer (without any particular scientific interest) expos^ his life in robbing an Indian burial-place in Oregon, and carried his spoils for two weeks in his pack, in a highly unsavory condition, and when discovery would have involved danger, and probably death. Before his departure he had promised Morton to bring him some skulls, and he was resolved to do it at all hazards. This eftbrt also involved, of course, a very extensive and laborious correspondence. He was in daily receipt of letters from all countries and from every variety of persons. It was mainly by the free contributions of these assistants that the collection eventually grew so rapidly. Among the
* Letter to J. R. Bartlett, Esq. Transactioiks of the American Ethnological Society, ToLii. New York: 1848.
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contributors I may mention William A. Foster, Esq.^ as presenting 135 specimens, Dr. J. C. Cisneros 58, and Dr. Ruschenberger 39. George R. Gliddon, Esq. presented 30, bedde the 137 originally pro- cured by his agency ; William A. Gliddon, Esq., 19 ; M. Clot-Bey 15 ; and Professor Retzius 17, with 24 more received since the death of Dr. M. Over one hundred gentlemen are named in the catalogue as contributing more or less, sixty-seven of them having presented one skull each. It is not to be supposed, however, that even the portion thus ^ven led to no outlay of means. The mere charges for freight from distant portions of the globe amounted to a considerable sum« Dr. Wood {loe. cit) estimates the total cost of the collection to its proprietor from ten to fifteen thousand dollars. At this moment it is undoubtedly by fax the most complete collection of crania extant There is nothing in Europe comparable to it I have recently seen a letter from an eminent British ethnologist, containing warm thanks for the privilege even of reading the catalogue of such a collection, and adding that he would visit it anywhere in Europe, although he cannot dare the ocean for it. At the time of Dr. Morton's death it consisted of 918 human crania, to which are to be added 51 received since, and which were then on their way. The collection also con- tains 278 crania of mammals, 271 of birds, and 88 of reptiles and nshes : — ^in all, 1656 skulls ! I rejoice to state that this magnificent cabinet has been secured to our city by the contribution of liberal citizens, who have purchased it for $4,000, and presented it to the Academy.
Simultaneously with his accumulation of crania, and based upon them, he carried on his study of Ethnology, if I may use that term in reference to a period when the science, so called at present, could scarcely be said to exist. Indeed it is almost entirely a new science within a few years. While medical men occupied themselves exclu- sively with the intimate structure and function of the human frame, no investigator of nature seemed to turn his attention to the curious diversities of form, feature, complexion, &c., which characterize the difierent varieties of men. With a very thorough anatomy and phy- siology, our de$criptive hiftory of the human species was less accurate and extensive than that of most of the well-known animals. So true was this that Buffon pithily observed that " quelque inter6t que nous ayons a nous connaitre nous mSmes, je ne sais si nous ne connaissons pas mieux tout ce qui n*est pas nous." But every branch of this interesting investigation has recently received a sudden and vigorous impulse, and there has grown up within a few years an Ethnology with numerous and devoted cultivators. That it still has much to accomplish will appear from the number of questions which the pages
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q{ this book show to be still $ub judiee. Indeed it is the widest and most attractive field open to the naturalist of to-day. To quote the admirable language of Jomard :
« Car il ne faut pas perdre de Yue, maintenant que la oonnaissanee ext^rieure da globe et de ses prodactions a fait d'immenses progr^s, que la eonnaissaxice de rhomme est le but fiaal des sciences g^ograpUqnes. Une cambre non mdas Taste que la premiere est ouTerte au g^nie des Tojrages ; U importe, il est urgent mtoe, pour TaTenir de re^>^ee humaine et pour le besoin de TBarope sortout, de oonnaitre i fond le degr^ de ciTilisation de toutes lee races; de savoir exaetement en quoi elles different ou se rapprochent; quelle est Fanalogie ou la dissemblance entre leurs regimes, leurs moeurs, leurs religions, leurs langages, leurs arts, leurs industries, leurs e<mstitations physiques, afln de Uer entre •lies et nous des rapports plus tfirs et plus avantageux. Tri est l*o1^t de Tethnologie, oe qui est la seience mdme de la geographic yue dans son ensemble et dans touts sa haute g^n^rallt^. Bien que cette mati^re ainsi enyisag^e soit presque toute nouTelle, nous ne pouTons trop, n^anmoins, recommander les obserrations de oette esp^oe au iMe des foyageurs."*
The attempt to establish a rule of diversity among the races of men, according to cranial conformation, commenced in the last cen- tury with Camper, the originator of the facial angle. The subject was next taken up by Slumenbach, who has been until recently the controlling authority upon it His Decades Cranicrumj whose publi- cation was begun in 1790^ and continued until 1828, covers the period when Morton began this study. His method of comparing crania, (by the ncrma verticaUsj) and his distribution of races, were then both un- disputed. The mind of the medical profession in Great Britain and in this country had then, moreover, been recently attracted to tbe subject by the publication (in 1819) of the very able book of Mr. Law- rence, f avowedly based upon the researches of the great Professor of Gottingen. Dr. Prichard had published his Inaugural Dissertation, De Hommum Varutatibu^y in 1808, and a translation of the same in 1812, under the title of Researches on the Physical Bistory of Mdn^ constituting the first of a series of publications, afterwards of great influence and value. Several treatises had also been published with the intention of proving that the color of the negro might arise firom climatic influences, the principal work being that of President Smith, of Princeton College, New Jerseyl Beyond this, nothing had been done for the science of Man up to Morton's return to this country in 1824. A new impetus had been given, however, to the speciality of Craniology by the promulgation of the views of Gall and Spurzheim, then creating their greatest excitement. These distinguished persons completed the publication of their great work at Paris in 1819, both
« Etudes Q^ograpbiques et Historiques sur TArabie, p. 408.
f Lectures on Pbysiology, Zoology, and the Natural History of Man, dellTered at the Boyal College of Surgeons, by W. Lawrence, F. B. S., &e.
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before and after which time Spurzheim lectured in Great Britain, making many proselytes. The phrenolo^sts of Edinburgh mnst have been in the very fervor of their first love during Morton's resi- dence there, and they included in their number some men of eminent ability and eloquence. Collections of prepared crania, of casts and masks, became common ; but they were brought together in the hope of illustrating character, not race, and were prized according as fan- ciful hypothesis could make their protuberances correspond with the distribution of intellectual fEiculties in a most crude and barren psychology. Morton's collection was ethnographic in its aim fix)m the outset ; nor can I find that he ever committed himself fully to the miscalled Phrenology — a system based upon principles indisputably true, but which it holds in common with the world of science at hxgQj while all that is peculiar to itself is already feding into obli- vion.** Attractive by its easy comprehensibility and facility of appli- cation, it acquired a sudden and wide-spread popularity, and so passed out of the hands of men of science, step by step, till it has now become the property of itinerant charlatans, describing characters for twenty- five cents a head. The veiy name is so degraded by these associa- tions, that we are apt to forget that, thirty years ago, it was a scientific doctrine accepted by learned and thoughtiU men. There can be no doubt that it had its effect (important though indirect) upon the inind of Morton, in arousing him to the importance of the Craniology about which everybody was talking, and leading him to make that application of it, which, although neglected by his professional brethren, was still the only one of any real and permanent value.
It is evident that the published matter for Morton's studies was very limited. A pioneer himself he had to resort to the raw mate- rial, and obtain his data at the hand of nature. Fortunately for him he resided in a country where, if literary advantages are otherwise deficient, the inducement and opportunities for anthropological re- search are particularly abundant There are reasons why Ethnology should be eminently a science for American culture. Here, three of the five races, into which Blumenbach divided mankind, are brought together to determine the problem of their destiny as they best may,
• The ensuing paragraph will sbow n\pre dearly Morton's matured opinion on this subject. It is from an Introductory Lecture on ** The Biyersities of the Human Species," deliTered before the Medical Class of Pennsylyania College in NoTember 1842.
** It (Phrenology) farther teaches us that the brain is the seat of the mind, and that it is a congeries of organs, each of which performs its own separate and peculiar fonctioo. These propositions appear to me to be physiological truths ; but I allude to them on thiB occasion merely to put you on your guard against adopting too hastily those minute details of the localities and functions of supposed organs, wluch hare of late found so many and such xealous adTOcates."
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while Chinese immigration to California and the proposed importa- tion of Coolie laborers threaten to bring ns into equally intimate contact with a fourth. It is manifest that our relation to and ma- nagement of these people must depend, in a great measure, upon their intrinsic race-character. "While the contact of the white man seems fEttal to the Red .^merican, whose tribes fitde away before the onward march of the firontier-man like the snow in spring (threatening ulti- mate extinction), the Negro thrives under the shadow of his white master, &lls readily into the position assigned him, and exists and multiplies in increased physical well-being. To the American states- man and the philanthropist, as well as to the naturalist, the study thus becomes one of exceeding interest Extraordinary facilities for observing minor sub-divisions among the &milies of the white race are also presented by the resort hither of inmiigrants fix)m every part of Europe. Of all these advantages Morton availed himself freely, and soon became the acknowledged master of the topic. Extending his studies beyond what one may call the zoological, into the archseological, and, to some extent, into the philological department of Ethnography, his pre-eminence was speedily acknowledged at home, while the publication of his books elevated him to an equal distinction abroad. Professor Retzius of Stockholm, writing to him April 3d, 1847, says emphatically : " Tou have done more for Ethno- graphy than any living phyeiologist; and I hope you will continue to cultivate this science, which is of so great interest"
The first task proposed to himself by Morton, was the examination and comparison of the crania of the Indian tribes of North and South America. . His special object was to ascertain the average capacity and form of these skulls, as compared among themselves and with those of the other races of men, and to determine what ethnic dis- tinctions, if any, might be inferred from them. The result of this labor was the Orania Americana^ published in 1889. This work con- tains admirably executed Uthographic plates of numerous crania, of natural size, and presenting a highly creditable specimen of American art The letter-press includes accurate admeasurements of the crania, especially of their interior capacity ; the latter being made by a plan peculiar to the author, and enabling him to estimate with precision the relative amount of brain in various races. The introduction is particularly interesting, as containing the author's general ethnologi- cal views so far as matured up to th|^t time. He adopts the quintuple division of Blumenbach, not as the best possible, but as sufficient for his purpose, and each of the five races he again divides into a certain number of characteristic &milies. TTia main conclusions concerning the American race are these :
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" 1st Tbat the Amerioan nee differs eMentiany from all otlien, not eioepting the Mongo- lian ; nor do the feeUe analogies of langoage, and the more obTioos ones in eiTil and religions institutions and the arts, denote anything beyond casual or colonial commu- nication with the Asiatic nations ; and eren those analogies may perhaps be accounted for, as Humboldt has suggested, in ^e mere coincidence arising from similar wants and impulses in nations inhabiting similar latitudes.
<* 2d. That the American nations, excepting the polar tribes, are of one race and one spe- cies, but of two great families, which resemble each other in* physical, but differ in intellectual character.
*<8d. That the cranial remains discoTsred in the mounds 'from Pent to Wisconsin, belong to the same race, and probably to the Tolteoan fiuoily."
The publication of a work of such costly character, and necessarily addressed to a very limited number of readers, was a bold under- taking for a man of restricted means. It was published by himself at the risk of considerable pecuniary loss. The original subscription list fell short of paying the expense, but I am happy to say that the subsequent sale of copies liquidated the deficit. The reception of the book by the learned was all he could have desired. Everywhere it received the warmest commendations. The following extract from a notice in the London Medico-Chirurgical Review for October 1840, will show the tone of the British scientific press :
** Dr. Morton*s method and iUustrations in eliciting the elements of his magnificent Craniography, are admirably concise, without being the less instructiyely con^rehensivet His work constitutes, and will ever be highly appreciated as constituting an exquisite treasury of ikcts, well adapted, in all respects, to establish permanrat organic principles in the natural history of man."
** Here we finish our account of Dr. Morton's American Cranioscopy ; and by its extent and copiousness, our article will show how highly we hare appreciated his classical pro- duction. We haye studied his Tiews with attention, and examined his doctrines with fair- ness ; and with perfect sincerity ii^ rising f^m a task which has afforded unusual gratifi- cation, we rejoice in ranking his * Crania Americana' in the highest <dass of transatlantio literature, foreseeing distinctly that the book will ensure for its author the well-eamed meed of a Caucasian reputation."
From among the warmly eulo^stic letters received from distin- guished savaMy I select but one, that of Baron Humboldt, who is himself a high authority on American subjects.
<* Monsieur, -^Les liens intimes d'interdt et d'affection qui m'attachent, Monsieur, depuis «n d^mi-si^le & Themisph^ que tous habitex et dont j'ai la ranit^ de me croire citoyen, ont ijout^ & rimpression que m'ont fait presque & la f<aa yotre grand ouTrsge de physio- logic philosophique et I'admirable histoire de la conqudte du Mexique par M. William Prescott VoiU de ces trayaux qui ^tendent, par des moyens tr^s differens, la sphere de BOS connussanoes et de nos Tues, et ^Joutent 4 la gloire natlonale. Je ne puis tous exprimer •asses Tiyement, Monsiear, la profonde reconnaissance que Je tous dois. Am^ricain bien plus que Sib^en d'H>'^ ^^ couleur de mes opinions, je snis, & men grand age, singnli^re- ment flatty de TinterSt qu'on me conserre encore de I'autre cot4 de la grand Tall4e atlantique sur laquelle la yapeur a presque jet^ un pont Les richesses craniologiques que tous ayes M assei henrenz de r€unir, ont trour^ en yous un digne interpr^te. Votre ouyrage. Mon- sieur, est ^galement remarquable par la profondenr des yues aaatomiques, par le detail
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Bom^iiqiie dee rapports de eonformation organiqve, par TabMBoe des rftteries po^tiqves qoi Bont 1«8 mythes de 1& Physiologie modeme, par les g^n^ralit^ d<Hit Totre '< latroductory Essay*' abonde. RMigeant dans ee moment le plos important de mes onyrages qui sera pnbli^ sons le titre imprudent de Kotmot, je sanrai profiter de tants d'exeellents apper9a8 tor la destribntion des raees bumaines qni se trouTent ^pars dans Totre bean Tolnme. Que de saoriflces p^cnniares n'ayez yous pas dft faire, poor atteindre vne si graade perf^tion artistiqne et prodnire itn ouTrage qui riyalise ayeo tout ce que Ton a fait de plus beau en Angleterre et en France.
'* Agrees, je tous supplie, Monsieur, I'bommage renouyelM de la baute consideration areo laqneUe j'ai rhonneur d'etre,
« Monsieur, Totre tr^bumble et tr^obeissant senriteur,
" Albxahdbb Humboldt.
'<i Berlin, ee 17 JauTier, 1844."
The eminent success of this work determined definitely its author's ulterior scientific career. From this time forward he devoted his powers almost exclusively to Ethnology. He sought in every direc- tion for the materials for his investigation, when circumstances led to his acquaintance with Mr. George R. Gliddon, whose contributions opened to him a new field of research, and gave him an unexpected triumph. Mr. G. first visited this country in 1887, being sent out by Mehemet Ali to obtain information, purchase machinery, &c., in re- ference to the promotion of the cotton-culture in Egypt Morton, who never lost the opportunity of securing an useful correspondent, sought his acquaintance, but failing to meet him personally, wrote him at New York under date of Nov. 2d, 1837, inquiring his precise " address, and soliciting permission to visit him in reference to busi- ness. Illness preventing this visit, he wrote again, Nov. 7th. The following extract is interesting, as displaying his mode of procedure in such cases, as well as the state of his opinions, at the date in question : —
** You wiU obserre by tbe annexed Prospectus tbat I am engaged in a work of considera- ble noTeltj, and wbicb, as regards tbe typography and illustrations at least, is designed to be equal to any publication hitherto issued in this country. Tou may be surprised that I should address you en the subject, but a moment's eiplanation may suffice to convey my ▼lews and wishes. The prefatory chapter will embrace a view of the varUtia of the Human Race, embracing, among other topics, some remarks on the ancient Egyptians. The posi- tion I have always assumed is, that the present Copts are not the remains of the ancient Egyptians, and in order more fully to make my comparisons, it is tery important that I should get a few heade of Egyptian mummies Arom Thebes, &o. I do not care to have them entirely perfect specimens of embalming, but perfect in the bony structure, and with the hair preserred, if possible. It has occurred to me that, as you will reside at Cairo, and with your perfect knowledge of affairs in Egypt, you would have it in your power to em- ploy a confidential and well-qualified person for this trust, who would save you all personal trouble ; and if twenty-five or thirty skulls, or even half that number can be obtained, (and I am assured by persons who have been there that no obstacles need be feared, but of Ais you know best,) I am ready to defray every expense, and to advance the money, or any part of it note, or to arrange for payment, both as to expenses and commissions, at any time or in any way you may designate. With the Egyptian heads, I should be very
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glad to haT6 a skull of a Copt and a Fellah, and indeed of any other of the present tribes in or bordering on Egypt, and which could be probably obtained through any one of your medical Mends in Cairo or Alexandria. I hope before you leave to be able to srad you one of the lithographs for my work, to prove to you that it will be no discredit to the arts of this country. Sensible how infinitely yoo may serve me in a favorite though novel inquiry, I cannot but hope to interest your feelings and exertions on this occasion, and therefore beg an eariy answer."
To this letter Mr. G. responded freely and cordially, readily under- taking the commission, which resulted in supplying Morton with crania, which form the basis of his renowned Crania JEgyptiaca. Without the aid thus afforded, any attempt to elucidate Egyptian ethnology from this side the Atlantic would have been absurdly hope- less; witii it, a difficult problem was solved, and the opinion of the scientific world rectified in an important particular. The correspond- ence thus originated led to a close intimacy between the parties, which essentially modified the history of both, and ended only with life ; and which resulted in a warmth of attachment, on the part of the survivor, that even death cannot chill, as the dedication of this volume attests. With the prospect of obtaining these Egyptian crania, Morton was delighted. How much he anticipated appears from the following passage in the preface to his Orania Americana: —
" Nor can I close this preface without recording my sincere thanks to George B. Qliddon, .Esq., United States Consul at Cairo, in Egypt, for the singular seal with which he has pro- moted my wishes in this respect ; the series of crania he has already obtained for my use, of many nations, both ancient and modem, is perhaps without a rival in any existing collection ; and will enable me, when it reaches this country, to pursue my comparisons on an extended scale." (p. 5.)
The skulls came to hand in the fall of 1840, and Morton entered eagerly upon their examination, and upon the study of Ifilotic Archaeology in connection therewith. Mr. Gliddon arrived in Janu- ary 1842, with the intention of delivering a course of lectures in this country upon hieroglyphical subjects ; and the two friends could now prosecute their studies together. They had already been engaged in active correspondence, Morton detailing the considerations which were impelling him to adopt views diverse, in several points, from what were generally considered established opinions. I regret that I have not access to the letters of Morton of this period, but the« following extract from a reply of Gliddon, dated London, Oct 2l8t, 1841, will show the state of their minds in regard to Egyptian questions at that time : —
" With regard to your projected work, (Crania j^^Uaca,) I will, with every deference, fTBnkXj state a few OTanescent impressions, which, were I with you, could be more fully deyeloped. I am hostile to the opinion of the African origin of the Egyptians. I mean of the high eaft»— kings, priests, and military. The idea that the monuments support such
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theory, or the oondasion that they came dovm the Nile, or that ' Merawe* is the Father of Egypt, is, I thio^ unteiiable, and might be refuted. Herodotus*s authority, unless modi- fied in the way you mention, dark tkmned and curly haired, is in this, as in fifty other in- stances, quite insignificant We, as hieroglyphists, know Egypt better now, than all the Greek authors or the Roman. On this ground, unless you are couYinced from ComparatiTe Anatomy, with which science I am totally unacquainted, and be backed by such eyidence as is incontroyertible, I urge your pausing, and considering why the ancient Egyptians may not be of Asiatic, and perhaps of Arabic descent ; an idea which, I fancy, from the tenor of your letters, is your present conclusion. At any rate, they are not, and nerer were, Africans, still less Negroes. Monumental cTidence appears to oyerthrow the African
theory * . Look at the portraits of the kings of Egypt, in the plates of
Prof. Rosellini's MonumenU Storiei, and then read his 2d toI. text, at the end. They are fac- similes, and is there anything AArican in them, (excepting in the Amunoph family, where this cross is shown and explained,) until you come down to the Ethiopian dynasty ! For 'Merawe' read Hoskins's Ethiopia — it id a Taluable work, but I dijTer m toto from his ohronology, or his connection between Egypt and ' Meroe' down the Nile.
" The Copts may be descendants of the ancient race, but so crossed and recrossed, as to haTe lost almost every restige of their noble ancestry. I should think it would be difficult, with 100 skulls of Copts, to get at an exact criterion, they are so raried. Do not forget also the elSect of wearing the turban on the Eastern races, except the Fellahs, who seldom can afford it, and wear a cap.
" It has been the fashion to quote the Sphinx, as an evidence of the Negro tendencies of ancient Egyptians.^ They take his wiy for woolly hair — and as the nose is off, of course it is flat. But even if the fBoe (which I fiilly admit) has a strong AfHcan cast, it is an ahnost solitary example, against 10,000 that are not African, We may presume firom the fact that the tablet found on it bears the name of the 6th Thotmes— b. o. 1702 — Rosellini, No. 106^that it represents some king, (and most probably Thotmes 5th himself,) who, by ancestral intermarriage, was of African blood. In fact, we find that Amunoph 1st — b. o. 1822 — ^ and only five removes flrom this same Thotmes his successor, had an Ethiopian wife — a black queen — ' Aahmes KoflrearL' If the Sphinx were a female, I should at once tay it stood for * Nofreari,' who, as the wife of the expeller of the Hykshos, was much revered. The whole of the Thotmes and Amunoph branches had an African cast — vide Amunoph 8d — almost a Nubian : but this cast is expressly given in their portraits, in ^oontradistinction to the aquiline-nosed and red Egyptians. Look at the Ramses family — their men are quite Caucasian — their women are white, or only yellowish, but I can see nothing African. ^ I wish I were by your side with my notes and rambling ideas — they are crude, but under your direction could be licked into shape. The masses of facts a^e extraordinary, and known but to very, very few. Unless a man now-a-days is a hierogly- phist, and has studied the monuments, believe me, his authority is dangerous ; and but few instances ^ there in which aimongst the thousand-and-one volumes on Egypt, the work is not a mere repetition or copy of the errors of a preceding work — and this is but repeating what the Romans never comprehended, but copied from the Greeks, who made up for their igno- rance then, as they do now, by Uee, All were deplorably ignorant on Egyptian matters. Anything of the ChampoUion, Rosellini, and Wilkinson school for ancient subjects, is taft — for the modem, there is only Lane. I mention ^ese subjects just to arrest your attention, before you take a leap ; though I have no doubt you leave no stone unturned. Pardon my apparent officiousness, but I do this at the haxard of intruding, lest in your earnest comparisons of ' Crania,' you may not lay sufficient stress on the vast monumental evidences of days of yore, and mean this only as a < caveat.' "
But they soon found themselves in want of books, especially^ of costly illustrated works. Kot only was it essential to verify quotations by reference to the text, but the plates were absolutely indispensable.
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The desired books did not exist in any library in the TTnited States, and Morton had ab*eady gone as far as pradenee permitted. In a letter now before me, Gliddon writes him from New York in despair, stating that, for his part, he could not move a step further without access to Rosellini, {Monumentij &c.,) of which there was not a copy in the country. This serious difficulty was finally removed by the munificent liberality of Richard K Haight, Esq., of New York, who, actuated solely by a generous desire to promote the interests of science, imported and placed at the disposal of our students the superb volumes in question.
Morton's study now was more than ever " a place of skulls." His correspondence, having been widely extended, was at last bearing its fruit Contributions came dropping in fi^m various quarters, not always accompanied with reliable information, and requiring careful deliberation before being assigned a place in his cabinet. Nothing short of positive certainty, however, would induce him to place a name upon a cranium. The ordeal of examination each had to undergo, was rigid in the extreme. Accurate and repeated measurements of every part were carefully made. Where a case admitted of doubt, I have known him to keep the skull in his office for weeks, and, taking it down at every leisure moment, sit before it, and contemplate it fixedly in every position, noting every prominence and depression, estimating the extent and depth of every muscular or ligamentous attachment, until he could, as it were, build up the soft parts upon their bony substratum, and see the individual as in life. His quick artistic per- ception of minute .resemblances or discrepancies of form and color, gave him great facilities in these pursuits. A single glance of his rapid eye was often enough to determine what, with others, would have been the subject of tedious examination. The drawings for the Crania JEgyptiaca were made by Messrs. Richard H. and Edward M. Kern,*
• Even while I write (Deo. Ist, 1858) the news has reached us of the brutal murder by Utah Indians of Richard H. Kern, with Lieut Gunnison, and others of the party engaged in the surrey of the proposed middle route for a Paoiiio BaHroad. So young, and so full of hope and promise ! to be out off thus, too, just as his matured intellect began to oom« mand him position, and to realixe the bright anticipations of his many friends ! The rela- tions of Mr Gliddon and myself to this new rictim of sarage ferocity were so intimate, that we may be excused if we pause here to giTO to his memory a si^ — one in which the subject of our memoir, were he still with us, would join in deepest sympathy. But the sorrow we feel is one that cannot be fk«e ftrom bittetness, while the bones of Dick Kern bleach unaTenged upon the arid plains of Deseret. We haye had too much of sentimen- talism about the Red-man. It is time that cant was stopped now. Not all the cinnamon- colored Tcrmin west of the Mississippi are worth one drop of that noble heart's-blood. The busy brain, the artist's eye, the fine taste, the hand so ready with either pen or pencil, — could these be restored to us again, they would be cheaply purchased back if it cost the estermination of CTCiy miserable Pah-Utah under heaTcn! He is the second member of
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who were then also engaged in preparing the magnificent illustrations oi Mr. Gliddon*8 hierological lectures; and these gentlemen have informed me that not the slightest departure from literal accuracy could escape the eye of Morton. This was true, not only of human figures, but equally of the minutest hieroglyphic details. Dr. Meigs, in his Memoir, relates an instance of his acumen, in which, while inspect- ing the segis in the hand of a female di vinily , he noticed the resemblance to the face of a certain queen, and at once referred it to that reign ; which, on examining the text, proved correct. The two following anecdotes, for whicli I am indebted to Mr. Qliddon, resemble the well- known instances of scientific acuteness and perspicacity that are related of Cuvier.
Li the summer of 1842, Mr. G. met in New York with Mr. John L. Stephens, then recently returned from his second visit to Yucatan, The conversation turning upon crania, Mr. S. regretted the destruc- tion of all he had collected, in consequence of their extreme brittle- ness. One skeleton he had hoped to save, but on unpacking it, that morning, it was found so dilapidated that he had ordered it thrown away. Mr. G. begged to see it, and secured it, comminuted as it was. Its condition may be inferred from the fact that the entire skeleton was tied up in a small India handkerchief, and carried to Philadelphia in a hat-box. It was given to Morton, who at first de- plored it as a hopeless wreck. The next day, however, Mr. G. found him, with a glue-pot beside him, engaged in an effort to reconstruct the skull. A small piece of the occiput served as a basis, upon which he put together all the posterior portion of the cranium, showing it by characteristic marks to be that of an adult Indian female. From the condition of another portion of the skeleton, he derived evidence of a pathological fact of considerable moment, in view of the antiquity of these remains. How much interest he was able to extract from this handful of apparent rubbish will appear from the following passages : —
** The purport of his opinion is as follows i— In the first pltoe, the needle did not deceive the Indian who picked it np in the grave. The bones are those of a female. Her height did not exceed five feet, three or four inches. The teeth are perfect and not appreciably worn, while the epiphyieSf those infallible indications of the growing state, have just become consolidated, and mark the completion of adult age. The bones of the hands and feet are remarkably small and delicately proportioned, which observation applies also to the entire
his family that has met this melancholy fSate. His brother. Dr. Benjamin J. Kern— a pupil of Morton, and surgeon to the ill-fated expedition of Colonel Fremont in the winter of 184S-49 — was cruelly massacred by Utahs in the spring of 184§, in the mountains near Taos. So long as our government allows oases of this kind to remain without severe retri- bution, so long, in savage logic, will impunity in crime be considered a free license to murder at will.
2
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skeleton. The skull was crushed into many pieces, but, by a cautious manipulajtion, Br. Morton succeeded in reconstructing the posterior and lateral portions. The occiput is remarkably flat and Tertical, while the lateral or parietal diameter measures no l«ss than five inches and eight-tenths.
<* A chemical examination of some fragments of the bones proTcs them to be almost destitute of animal matter, which, in the perfect osseous structure, constitutes about thirty- three parts in the hundred. On the upper part of the left tibia there is a swelling of the bone, called in surgical language a nodef an inch and a half in length, and more than half an inch aboTC the natural surface. This morbid condition may haye resulted ftrom a variety of causes, but possesses greater interest on account of its extreme infirequency among the primidye Indian population of the countiy."*
Mr. Gliddon, while in Paris in 1845-r6, presented a copy of the Crania Mgyptiaca to the celebrated orientalist, M. Fulgence Fresnel, (well known as the decipherer of the Himyaritic inscriptions, and now engaged in Ninevite explorations,) and endeavored to interest him in Morton's labors. More than a year afterwards, having returned to Philadelphia, he received there a box from R. K. Haight, Esq., then at I^aples. The box contained a skull, but not a word of infor- mation concerning it. It was handed over to Morton, who at once perceived its dissimilarity to any in his possession. It was evidently very old, the animal matter having almost entirely disappeared. Day after day would Morton be found absorbed in its contemplation. At last he announced his conclusion. He had never seen a Phoenician skull, and he had no idea where this one came from ; but it was what he conceived that a Phoenician skull should be, and it could be no other. Things remained thus until some six months afterwards, when Mr. Haight returned to America, and delivered to Mr. G. the letters and papers sent him by various persons. Among them was a slip in the hand-writing of Fresnel, containing the history of the skull in question.f He discovered it during his exploration of a Phcenician tomb at Malta, and had consigned it to Morton by Mr. H., whom he met at Naples. These anecdotes not only show the extraordinary acuteness of Morton, but they also prove the certainty of the anato- • mical marks upon -yhich Craniologists rely.
The Crania Mgyptiaca was published in 1844, in the shape of a contribution to the Transactions of the American Philosophical So- ciety. This apparent delay in its appearance arose from the author's extreme caution in forming his conclusions, especially in view of the fact that he found himself compelled to differ in opinion from the majority of scholars, in regard to certain points of primary import- ance. Most ethnologists, with the high authority of Prichard at their
•Stephens' Yucatan, toI. L pp. 281-2. — Morton's Catalogue of Crania, 1849» No. 1050. t Catalogue, No. 1852.
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head, ascribed the Nilotic family to the African race ; while the great body of ArchfiBologists were disposed to consider the aborigines of Egypt as (probably black) Troglodytes, from the Upper Nile, whose first halting-place and seat of civilization was at Meroe. But Morton took counsel with none of those authorities of the day. Optimi con- iuUores'mortui; and these dead, but still eloquent witnesses of the past, taught him clearly the identity of cranial conformation in the ancient Egyptian and the modem wbite man. He established, beyond question, that the prevailing type of skull must come into the Cauca- sian category of Blumenbach. He pointed out the distinctioiis be- tween this and the neighboring Semitic and Pelasgic types. The population of Egypt being always a very mixed one, he was able also to identify among his crania those displaying the Semitic, Pelasgic, Negro and Negroid forms. Turning next to the monuments, he ad- duced a multitude of facts to prove the same position. His historical deductions were advanced modestiy and cautiously, but most of them have been triumphantiy verified. While he, in his quiet study at Philadelphia, was inferentially denying the comparative antiquity of Meroe, Lepsius was upon the spot, doing the same thing beyond the possibility of further cavil. The book was written when it was still customary to seek a foreign origin for the inhabitants of every spot on earth except Mesopotamia ; and the author, therefore, indicates, rather than asserts, an Asiatic origin for the Egyptians. But his resume contains propositions so important, that I must claim space for them entire, taking the liberty of calling the attention of the reader, by Italics, particularly to the last.
1. The TftUej of the Nile, both in Egjpt and in Nubis, was originally peopled by a branch
of the Caucasian race.
2. These primeyal people, since called Egyptians, were the Mixraimites of Scriptare» the
posterity of Ham, and directly associated with the Libyan family of nations. 8. In their physical character, the Egyptians were intermediate between the modem Euro- pean and Semitic races.
4. The Austral-Egyptian or Meroite communities were an Indo-Arabian stock, engrafted
on the primitiTC Libyan inhabitants.
5. Besides these exotic sources of population, the Egyptian race was at different periods
modified by the influx of the Caucasian nations of Asia and Europe — Pelasgi or Hel- lenes, Scythians and Phoenicians.
6. Kings of Egypt appear to have been incidentally derived firom each of the abore
nations.
7. The Copts, in part at least, are a mixture of the Caucasian and Negro, in extremelj
Tariable proportions. '
8. Negroes were numerous in Egypt. Their social position, in ancient times, was the same
that it is now ; that of servants or slayes.
9. The natural characteristics of all these families of man were distinctly figured on the
monuments, and all of them, excepting the Scythians and Phoenicians, hare been iden- tified in the catacombs.
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Slii MEMOIR OF SAMUEL QI0R6S MORTON*
10. The present Fellahs are the lineal and least mixed descendants of the ancient Egjp- tians ; and the latter are collaterally represented by the Tnaricks, Eabyles, Siwahs, ai^d other remains of the Libyan family of nations.
11. The modem Nubians, with few exceptions, are not the descendants of the monumental Ethiopians ; but a Tarionsly mixed race of Arabians and Negroes.
12. WhatOYor may have been the sixe of the cartilaginous portion of the ear, the osseous structure conforms, in every instance, to the usual relative position.
18. The teeth differ in nothing from those of other Caucasian nations.
14. The hair of the Egyptians resembles in texture that of the fairest Europeans of the present day.
15. The phyncdl or organic eharaeUn which duUnffuith the eeveral racee of men an at old 09 ilte oUktl records of our epedes.
The sentiments here enunciated he subsequently modified in one essential particular. In his letter to Mr. Bartlett of Dec. Ist, 1846, (published in vol. 2d of the Transactions of the American Ethnolo- gical Society, p. 216,) after reiterating his conviction that the pure Egyptian of the remotest monumental period differed as much from the negro as does the white man of to-day, he continues : —
*< My later investigations have confirmed me in the opinion, that the Talley of the Nile was inhabited by an indigenous race, before the iuTasion of the Hamitic and other Asiatic nations; and 'that this primoTal people, who occupied the whole of Northern Africa, bore much the same relation to the Berber or Berabra tribes of Nubia, that the Saracens of the middle ages bore to their wandering and untutored, yet cognate bretiiren, the Bedouins of the desert."
Further details on this point will be found on pp. 231 and 232 of the present work.
The reception of this book was even more flattering than had been, that of its predecessor. To admiration was added a natural feeling of surprise, that light upon this interesting subject should have come from this remote quarter. Lepsius received it on the eve of departure on his expedition to Djebel-Barkal, and his letter acknowledging it was dated from the island of Philse. One can imagine with what in- tense interest such a man, so situated, must have followed the lucid deductions of the clear-headed American, writing at the other side of the world. But probably the most gratifying notice of the book is that by Prictard, in the Appendix t6 his Natural Histoiy of Man, of which I attract a portion. He quotes Morton largely, and always with commendation, even where the conclusions of the latter are in conflict with his own previously published opinions.
** A most interesting and really important addition has lately been made to our know- ledge of the physical character of the ancient Egyptians. This has been deriyed from a quarter where local probabilities would least of all have induced us to have looked for it. In France, where so many scientific men haye been devoted, ever since the conquest of Egypt by Napoleon, for a long time under the patronage of government, to researches into this subject ; in England, possessed of the immense advantage of wealth and commercial resources ; in the academies of Italy and Germany, where the arts of Egypt have been studied in national museums, scarcely anything has been done since the time of Blumen-
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KXKOIR OF SAMUEL GEORGE MORTON. xUii
bftch to «laoidato the physical history of Uie UKsient Egyptian noe. In nono of these eoantries haTo any extensiTe collections been formed of the materials and resonroet which alone can afford a secure fonndation for snch attempts. It is in the United States of Ame- rica that a remarkable adTancement of this part of physical science has been at length aehiered. * The Transactions of the American Philosophical Society' contain a memoir by Br. Morton of Philadelphia, in which that able and lealous writer, already distinguished by his admirable researches into the physical characters of the natiTO American races, has brought forward a great mass of new information on the ancient Egyptians." (p. 57.)
This brings us at once to the consideration of Morton's opinion upon the mnch-vexed question of the unity or diversity of the various races of men, or rather of their origin fit)m a single pair; for that alone practically has been the topic of discussion. It is a subject of too • much importance, both to the cause of science and the memory of Morton, ip be passed over slightly. Above all, there is necessary a clear and fair statement of his opinions, in order that there may be no mistake. His mind was progressive on this subject, as upon many others. He had to disabuse himself of erroneous notions, early ac- quired, as well as to discover the truth. It is therefore possible so to quoto him as to misrepresent his real sentiments, or to make his assertions appear contradictory and confused. I propose to show the gradual growth of his convictions by the quotation, in their legitimate series, of his published expressions on the subject
The unity and common origin of mankind have, until recently, been consiflered undisputed points of doctrine. They seem to have been re- garded as propositions not scientifically established, so much as taken for granted, and let alone. All men were held to be descended from the single pair mentioned in Genesis; every tribe was thought to be historically traceable to the regions about Mesopotamia ; and ordinary physical influences were believed sufficient to explain the remarkable diversities of color, Ac. These opinions were thought to be the teach- ings of Scripture not impugned by science, and were therefore almost universally acquiesced in. By Blumenbach, Prichard, and others, the unity is assumed as an axiom not disputed. It is curious that the only attack made upon this dogma, until of late, was made from a theological, and not from a scientific stand-point The celebrated book of Peyrerius on the pre-Adamites was written to solve certain diffi- culties in biblical exegesis, (such as Cain's wife, the city he builded^ &c.,) for the writer was a mere scholastic theologian.* He met the fete of all who ventured to defy the hierarchy, at a day when they had the civil power at their back. Now they are confined to the calling of names, as infidel and the like, although mischief enough
* Pne-AdamiUe, bItc ezeroitatio super Tersibns duodecimo, decimotertio et decimo quarto capitis quint! Epietohs D. Paull ad Romanos. Quibus inducuntur primi Homines ante Adammn conditl. Anno Salutis mdolt.
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can they thus do, inflicting a poisoned wound. Then they had their fagots in the Place de Qr^ve, and as they could not catch Peyrerius, the Sorbonne ordered his book publicly burned by the common hang- man. There is something ludicrously pathetic in the manner in which he addresses his essay to the then-persecuted Jews, with an utinam ex ^vobU unus! and adds, "Hoc mihi certe cum vobis commune est; quod vitam duco erraticam, quaeque parum convenit cum otio medi- tantis et scribentis." The press fairly rained replies to this daring work, from both Catholic and Protestant writers, but not one of them based on scientific grounds, nor, indeed, in the defence of Genesis. Peyrerius would appear to have confessedly the advantage there. But it was asserted that the denial of mankind's imiversal descent from the loins of Adam, militated with the position of the latter i^ " federal head" of the race in the " scheme of redemption." The writer's offence was purely theological, and hence the charge of Socinianism and the vehemence with which even a phlegmatic Dutchman could be roused to hurl at his devoted head the anathema : Perturhet te DomtnuSy quia perturbasti Israelem ! * This excitement over, the subject was heard of no more until the French writers of the last century again agitated -it. Voltaire repeatedly and mercilessly ridicules the idea of a common origin. He says — "II n'est permis qu'A un aveugle de douter que les blancs, les K^gres, les Albinos, les Hottentots, les Lappons, les Chinois, les Americains, soient des races enti^rement diff6rentes."t But Voltaire was not scientific, and his opinion upon such questions would go for nothing with men of science. Prichard therefore sums up his Natural History of Man, {Landotif 1845,) with the final em- phatic declaration " that all human races are of one species and one femily." The doctrine of the unity was indeed almost universally held even by those commonly rated as "Deistical" writers. D'Han- carville, and his fellow dilettanti^ will certainly not be suspected of any proclivity to orthodoxy ; yet, in his remarks upon the wide dis- semination of Phallic and other religious emblems, he gives the ensuing forcible and eloquent statement of his conviction of tiie full historical evidence of unity : —
<« Comme let ooqnillages et les d^ris des productions de la mer, qui Bont d^pos^s sans •ombre et eans mesure sur toate U anrfaoe du globe, attestent qa'il dee terns incoDnuB i toutes les histoires, 11 fClt ooeup^ et recouyert par les eanx ; ainsi ces embldmes singnliersy admis dans toutes les parties de Tancien continent, attestent qu'& des* terns ant^rienrs i tons cenx dont parlent les historiens, toutes les nations chex laqnelle ezist^rent ces em- bldmes eurent un mdme culte, une mdme religion, une mdme th^ologie, et Traisemblable- ment une mdme langage.*'t
* Non-ens PnB-A.damiticunL Sito conf^tatio Tani et Sodnlsantis cujusdam Somnii, &o. Autore Antonio Hulsio. Lugd. Bata?. xbolvi. f Essai sur les Moeurs, Introd.
% Reoherches sdr Forigine, Tesprit et les progrte des arts de la Gr^ce, London, 17S5, L. 1. zif.
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MEMOIR OF SAMUEL GEORGE MORTON. xlv
Morton was educated in youth to regard this doctrine as a scriptural verity, and he found it accepted as the first proposition in the existing Ethnology. As such he received it implicitly, and only abandoned it when compelled by the force of an irresistible conviction. What he received in sincerity, he taught in good feith. There can be no doubt that in that early course of 1830, he inculcated the unity doctrine as strongly as ever did Pilchard.
But this state of opinion could not continue undisturbed. The wide ethnic diversities which so forcibly impressed one who contem- plated them merely as an historian and critic (as Voltaire), could not fail to engage the attention of naturalists. The difiiculties of the* popular doctrine -became daily more numerous and apparent, and it owed its continued existence, less to any inherent strength, than to the forbearance of those who disliked to awaken controversy by assailing it. The ordinary exposition of Genesis it was impossible for natu- ralists longer to accept, but they postponed to the utmost the inevita- ble contest. The battle had been fought upon astronomy and gained; so that Ma pur ii muave had become the watchword of the scientific world in its conflict with the parti pritre. The Geologists were even then coming victorious out of the combat concerning the six days of Creation, and the uiiiversality of the Deluge. The Archaeologists ^ were at the moment beating down the old-fiushioned short chronology. - Now another exciting struggle was at hand. Unfortunately it seems out of the question to discuss topics which touch upon theology with- out rousing bad blood. "Religious subjects," says Payne Knight, " being beyond the reach of sense or reason, are always- embraced or rejected with violence or heat. Men think they Icnow because they are sure they feel^ and are firmly convinced because strongly agitated."* • But disagreeable as was the prospect of controversy, it could not be avoided. It is curious to read Lawrence now, and see how he piles up the objections to his own doctrine, until you doubt whether he believes it himself! The main diflBiculty concerns a single centre of creation. The dispersion of mankind from such a centre, somewhere on the alluvium of thip Euphrates, might be admitted as possible ; but the gathering of all animated nature at Eden to be named by Adam, the distribution tiience to their respective remote and diver- sified habitats, their reassembling by pairs and sevens in the Ark, and their second distribution from the same centre — these conceptions are what Lawrence long ago pronounced them, simply " zoologically impossible." The error arises from mistaking the local traditions of a circumscribed community for universal history. As Peyrerius re- marked two centuries ago, " peccatur non raro in lectione sacrorum
• B. Payne Knight Letter to Sir Joi.Banke8 and Sir Wm. Hamilton, p. 28.
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^vi MEMOIR OF SAMUEL GEORGE MORTON.
codicam, quoties generalinB acdpitur, quod specialius debuit intel- ligi.'^'i' The most rigid criticism has demonatrated, beyond the possi- bility of disputation, that all the nations and tribes mentioned in the Pentateuch, are included strictly within the so-^^lled Caucasian race, and that the writer probably never heard of (as he certainly never mentions) any other than white men. This discussion, even to t][Le limited extent to which it has gone, has called forth much bittemeaer; not on the part of sincere students of the sacred text, but of that prStraille which, arrogant in the direct ratio of its ignorance, substi- tutes clamor and denunciation for reason, and casts the dirt of oppro- brious epithets when it has no arguments to offer. But already this advantage has arisen from the agitation: — that some prelindnary points at least may be considered settled, and a certain amount of scholarship may be demanded of those who desire to enter the dis- cussion ; thus eliminating from it the majority of persons most ready to present themselves with noisy common-place, already ten times refuted. The men who, in the middle of the nineteenth century, can still find the ancestors of Mongolians and Americails among the sons of Japhet, or who talk about the curse of Canaan in connexion with Negroes,t are plainly without the pale of controversy, as they are beyond the reach of criticism. There is, even in some who have re- centiy published books on the subject such a helpless profundity of ignorance of the very first facts of the case, that one finds no fitting answer to them but>— expressive silence ! To endeavor to raise such to the dignity of Ethnologists, even by debate with them, is to pay them a compliment beyond their deserts. They have no right whatever to thrust themselves into the field, — the lists are opened for another class of combatants. Therefore they cannot be recognised. . With Dante,
** Nod ngioiuiiii di lor ; in» goarda, e pasnl **
It was impossible for Morton, in the prosecution of his labors, to avoid these exciting questions. We have his own assurance that he early felt the insuperable difficulties attending the hypothesis of a common origin of all races. He seems soon to have abandoned, if he ever entertained, the notion that ordinary physical influences will account for existing diversities, at least within the limits of the popu- lar short chronology. There are two ways of escaping tliis difficulty — one by denying entirely the competency of physical causes to produce the effects alleged ; and the other to grant them an indefinite period for their operation, as Prichard did in the end, with his '' chiliads
* Op. cit., p. 168.
f The Dootrine of the Unity of the Human Race, examined on the Principles of Science^ bj John Baohman, D. D. Charleston: 1850. pp. 291-292.
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MEMOIR^ OP SAMUEL aEOBGE MORTOIT. xlvii
of years," for man's existence upon earth. Morton inclined to the other view, mainly in consequence of the historical evidence he had accumulated, showing the unalterable permanency of the charac- teiistics of race, within the limits of human records. But he was dow to hazard the publication of an opinion upon a question of so great moment. He preferred to wait, not only until his own convic- tion became certwity, but until he could adduce the mass of testi- mony necessary to convince others. This extreme caution charac- terized an his literary labors, and made his conclusions always reliable.* A true disciple of the inductive philosophy, he labored long and hard in the verification of his premises. With an inex- haustible patience he accumulated &ct upon fact, and published observation upon observation, often apparently dislocated and object- less, but all intended for future use. Many of his minor papers are mere stores of disjointed data. More than once, when observing his untiring labor and its long postponed result, he has brought into my mind those magnificent lines of Shelley :
Harkt the mshing snow! Thd BOiMiwake&ed avalanche! whose mass, Thrice lifted by the storm, had gathered thete Flake after flake, in heayen-defying minds As thought by thought is piled, till some great truth Is loosened, and the nations echo round. Shaken to tbeir veots, as do the uoutdns now.f
In fact, he had an eye, in all his investigations, to the publication at some future period of a work on the Elements of Ethnology^ which should contain the fully ripened fruits of so many years of toil. Of this project he speaks in some of his letters as ^' perhaps an idle dream," but one for whose realization he would make many sacri- fices. For it he reserved the complete expression of his ethnological doctrines^ This conoderation, and his extreme dislike of controversy, made him particularly guarded in his statements. Constitutionally averse to all noisy debate and contention, he was well aware also that they are incompatible with the calmness essential to successful scien- tific inquiry. ^Nothing but an aggravated assault could have drawn fipom him a reply. That assault was made, and, as I conceive, most
*In ft letter of Prof. O. W. HotUis t6 Dr. Morton, (Asted Boston, Not. 27th, 1849,) I find the foUowing passage, so jnst in its appreeiatien oi hk leieBtitc character, that I tak» the liberty of quoting it : —
^ The more I read on these snbjeett, the more I am delighted with the severe and can- tSoas character of yonr own most extended researches, which, ftrom their yerj nature, are permaaent data for all fntiurt stodents of Ethnology, whose leader pn this side the Atlantic, to say ihe least, yon have so happily oonstitated yourself by weU-directed and long-eon- timed efforts."
f P)romethens Unbound, Act It, Scene 8d.
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xlviii KEMOIR OF SAMUEL GEORGE MORTON.
fortunately fcr his reputation. Without it, he would probably have ceased from his labors without having published any such explicit and unmistakeable expression of opinion, on this important question, as his scientific friends would have desired. As it is, he has left no room for doubt or cavil as to his position in the very front of our onward progress in Anthropology.
The first published opinion of Morton in reference to this question is found in the Crania Americana. It will be perceived, that, recog- nizing the entire incompetency of ordinary climatic and similar in- fluences to produce the iJleged effects, he suggests, as an escape from the difficulty, that the marks of Sace were impressed at once by Divine Power upon the immediate family of Adam.
'* The reetnt disooTeries in Egypt giTe additional force to the preceding statement, inae- mveh as they show, beyond all qneation, that the Ganeaeian and Negro races were as per- fectly distinct in that coontiy, upwards of three thousand years ago, as they are now; whence it is evident, that if the Caacasian was derlTed ftrom the Negro, or the Negro firom the Caacasian, hy the action of external eauset^ the change must hare been effected in, kt most, one thousand years ; a theory which the subsequent eridenoe of thirty centuriee proTcs to be a physical impossibility ; and we haye already ventured to insist that such ft commutation could be effected by nothing short of a miracle." (p. 88.)
In his printed Introductoiy Lecture of 1842, the same views are repeated, and the insufficiency of external causes again insisted upon. In April of the same year, he read, l>efore the Boston Society of Na- tural Histoiy, a paper which was republished in 1844, under the title of An Inquiry into the Dietinetive Oharaeterietice of the Aboriginal Race of America, From this paper I extract the following striking passage :
In fine, our own conclusion, long ago deduced from % patient examination of the fitots thus briefly and inadequately stated, is, that the American race is essentially separate and peculiar, whether we regard it in its physical, moral, or its intellectual relations. To us there are no direct or obyious links between the people of the old world and the new ; for eren admitting the seeming analogies to which we hsTe alluded, these are so few in num- ber, and eyidenkly so casual, as not to inyaUdate the main position ; and eren should it be hereafter shown that the arts, sciences, and religion of America can be traced to an ezotio source, I maintain that the organic characters of the people themseWes, through all their endless ramifications of tribes and nations, proTO them to belong to one and the same race, and that this race is distinct from all others." (p. 86.)
Ss unequivocal assertion of the permanency of the distinctive marks of Eace in the final proposition of his resume of the Oranta ^gyptiacahsA abeady been given, {tupray p.xlii.)Two years afterwards he published this emphatic declaration :
« I can ayer that sixteen years of almost daUy comparisons haye only confirmed me in the conclusions announced in my « Crania Americana," that all the American nations, ex- cepting the Eskimaux, are of one race, and that this race is peculiar and distinct from aU others."* ^
« Ethnography and ArbhsM^ogy of the American Aborigines. NewHayen: 1846. (p. 9.)
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KEMOIR OF SAMUEL GEORGE MORTON. xlix
The next citation is from the letter to Mr. Bartlett before men- tioned :
<* Bat it is neeeesaiy to e^lain what is here meant by the word raoe. I do not use it to imply that all its diTiaions are deilTed tnm a single pair ; on the contrary, I believe they hare originated from several, perhaps even from many pairs, which were adapted, from the beginning, to the varied localities they were designed to ooenpy ; and the Fnegians, less migratory than the cognate tribes, will serve to illustrate this idea. In other words, I re- gard the American nations as the tme autocthones, the primeval inhabitants of this vast continent ; and when I speak of thmr being of one raoe or of one origin, I allude only to their indigenous relation to each other, as shown in all those attributes of mind and body wMch have been, so amply illustrated by modem ethnography."*
In a note to a paper in Silliman's Journal for 1847, he says : —
« I may here observe, that whenever I have ventured an opinion on this question, it has been in fkvor of the doctrine of primeoal diveniUet among men — an original adaptation of the several races to those varied circumstances of climate and locality, which, while con- genial to the one, are destructive to the other ; and subsequent investigations have con- firmed me in these views, ^f
One would suppose that whoever had read the above publications could have no doubt as to Morton's sentiments ; yet Dr. Bachman and others have affected to be suddenly surprised by the utterance of opinions which had been distinctly implied, and even openly pub- lished years before. To leave no further doubt upon the subject, he thus expresses himself in his letter to Dr. Bachman of March 30th, 1850:—
«< I commenced the study of Ethnology about twenty years since ; and among the first aphorisms taught me by all the books to which I then had access, was tlib — that all man- kind were derived from a single pair ; and that the diversities now so remarkable, origin- ated solely ftx>m the operations of climate, locality, food, and other physical agents. In other words, that man was created a perfect and beautiAil being in the first instance, and that chance, chance alone has caused all the physical disparity among men, from the noblest Caucasian (jprm to the most degraded Australian and Hottentot I approached the sulject as (me of great difficulty and delicacy ; and my first convictions were, that these diversities are not acqidred, but have existed ab origine. Such is the opinion expressed in my Crania Americana; but at that period, (twelve years ago,) I had not investigated Scriptural Eth* nology, and was content to suppose that Uie distinctive characteristics of the several races had been marked upon the immediate frunily of Adam. Further investigation, however, in connection with loological science, has led me to take a wider view of this questioti, of which an outline is given above."t
In order to present still more fully and clearly the ^al conclusions of our revered friend on this topic, I append two of his letters. The first is addressed to Dr. Nott, under date of Januaiy 29th, 1850.
* Transactions of American Ethnological Society, vol. iL New Tork: 1S48. (p. 219.) f Hybridity in animals and plants,, considered in reference to the question of the Unity
of the Human Spedes. New Haven : 1847. (p. 4.) % Letter to the Rev. John Bachman, D. D., on the question of Hybridity in animals.
Charieeton: 1860. (^ 16.)
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1 MBMOiR OF SAMITEL QEOIUJB UOKJOl^.
" I hare read and Mrzigad your Tmo Leeimu with great pleasure and instriMtion* I am espeoiallj pleased with the triumphant manner in which yon hare treated the absurd pos- tulate, that one race can be transmuted into another. The only illustrations that can be adduced by its adTocates, as you justly obserrey are certain diseased and abnormal Organi- sations, that, by a wise law of nature^ wear out in a few generatioos* Some of yous apho-> risms have delighted me, * Man oan momi noiUng in science or religion but falsehood ; and all the truths whi<di he diseovin ^aro but fscts or laws which haye emanated Arom th» Creator.' This is a noble sentiment admirably expressed. I am slowly preparing my- memoir * On the Site of die Brain in Tariooa Bacesand Families of Man ; with^Btiawelopoal Remarks.' The latter clanse will gire me sulleient scope for the expression of my Ti/sw» on those sensitiye points of Ethnology in wlueh I entirely agree with you in opinion; leaying out all theological discussion, which I have carefully avoided. Ton will observe a note in my Essay on Hybiidity, in which I aTOW my belief in a plurality of origins for the human spedes, and I haye now extended those obserrations, and briefly illustrated them ; but in so doing I find no difficulty with the text of Genesis, which is just as manageable in Ethnology as it has proTed in Astronomy, Geology, and Chronology. When I took this ground four years ago, (and in the Crania Americana my position is the same, though more cautiously worded,} it was with some misgivings, not because I doubted the truth of my opinions, but because I feared they would lead to some controTersy with the clergy. No* thing of the kind has happened ; for I hare aToided coming into collision with men who too often uphold a garbled text of Scripture, to defeat the progress of truth and science. I haye had some letters from the clergy and from other piously-disposed persons^ but the. only qpe that had any spice of yehemence was from a friend. Dr. Baohman, of Charleston. A number of olergymen haye called upon me for infbi^ation on this subject, and I confess to you my surprise at the liberal tone of feeling they haye expressed on this seasitiye ques- tion ; and I really belieye that if they are not pressed too hfrd, they will finally ooncedei all that can be asked of the mere question of diyersity ; for it can be far more readily reconciled to tiie Mosaic annals than some other points, Astronomy, &c., for example. As for Chronology, we all know it to be a hrokm reed. Look at the last page of Dr. Prichard's great work — the last page of his fifth and last yolume — and he there gWes it as his ma- tured opinion that the human race has befSQ ' ehiliads of centnriea' upon the earth 1 He had before found it necessary to proye the Deluge a partial phenomenon, and he also admits that no physical agents could oyer haye produced the existing diyerslties among men ; and, ascribes them to aeciderUal varittitt which haye been. careful to intemux^only among them- sely^, and thereby perpetuated their race ! Compared with this last inadequate hypothesis^ how beautiful, how evidently and inherently truthful is the propositioQ — that our species, had its origin, not in one, but in seyeral or in, many creations; and that these diyerging from their primitiye centres, met and amalgamated in the progress of tlipe^ aod haye thua. glyen rise to these intermediate links of organisation which now connect the extremes, to- gether. Here is the truth dlyested of mystery ; a. system that explains the oth^fiuseum,- , telligible phenomena so remarkably stamped on the races of men."
The remaining letter is addressed to Mr. Qliddon, under date of Philadelphia, April 27th, 1851, little more than two weeks before its author ceased to breathe. I publish it verbatim^ so that the reader may see that the concluding emphatic declaration stands imqualifiecl by anything in the context.
" My dear Sir : — Haye you Squier's pampUets on California and New Mexico t Is it not in them that is contained a refutation of the old fable of whiu Indiana on or near the Rio Gila ? If so, please send me the aboye paper by mail as soon as you can. I must haya- them somewhere, but I am in an emergency for them, and they cannot be fonnd. I am hard at work at my chapter for Schoolcraft's book, and am desirous to get it off my handa«
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I send yen % pftragrapli Anom th« Ledger wUeh wtQ gi^tfty you. Meire is no Uglier praise th«n tliis. It is all the better for being so aphorismally expressed. The doetriru of th$ ^riffin^ iivernty of mankind unfoldt iUdf to me more and more with the dietinetnett of reve- iaihn,
''With kindest remembrances to Mrs. 0. and yonr fine boy, I am,
^ " Etot fkithftdly years,
"8. 6. Morton." '
These citations are sufficient for our purpose, I apprehend, especially the laconic emphasis of the last, which may be regarded as the ethnolo- gical testament of our lamented friend. I have been thus full upon this point, because I believe it but justice to his memoiy to show that he was among the very earliest to accept and give shape to the doctrine fitated. As the mountain summits are gilded with the early dawn, while the pltun below still sleeps in darkness, so it is the loftiest spirit among men that first receives and reflects the radiance of the coming truth. Morton has occupied that position among us, in relation to this important advance in scientific opinion. I have desired to put the evidence of it feirly upon record, and thus to claim and secure the distinction that is justly due him.
Many well-meaning, but uninformed pereons have, however, raised an outci7 of horror against the assertion of original human diversities, in which they have been joined by others who ought to know better. The attack is not made upon the doctrine itself, nor upon any direct logical consequence of it The alleged grievance consists entirely in the loss of certain corollaries deducible from the opposite proposition. Thus it is asserted that our religious system and our doctrine of social and political rights, alike result from ihe hypothesis of human consan- guinity and common origin, and stand or fell with it. To this effect we have constantly quoted to us the high authority of Humboldt, who says, " En maintenant Tunitfe de Tespfece humaine, nous rejetons par consequence n^cessaire, la distinction d^solante de races superieures et de races infferieures."*
In a note he again applies the term de$alante to this doctrine. I have used the French translation, because it is the more forcible, and because it was that read by Morton, whose felicitous commentary upon it I am fortunately able to adduce, from a letter to Mr. Gliddon, of May 80th, 1846.
" Hnmboldt's word dieolante is true in sentiment and in morals — ^but, as yon obserre, it is WboUy inapplicable to the pbyrical reality. Nothing so hnmbles, so omshes my spirit, as to look into a mad-honse, and behold the driTelling, bmtal idiocy so conspionons in snch places ; it conreys a terrific idea of the disparity of hnman intelligences. Bnt there is the
* Cosmos : tradoit par H. Faye. Paris : 1846. I. p. 480. Also, note 42, p. 579. Ott^ translates by depreeemg in one place, and eheerleea in another. Cosmos : New Tork, 1850. L p. 858.
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unyieldingy insnperable realitj. It is didolanU indeed to think, to know, that many of these poor mortals were bom, were created so ! Bat it. appears to me to make little difference in the tmUment of the qaestion whether they came into the world without their wits, or whether they lost them afterwards. And so, I woold add, it makes little difference whe- ther the mental inferiority of the Negro, the Samoiyede, or the Indian, is natural or acquired ; for, if they erer possessed equal intelligence with the Caucasian, they haTO lost .it; and if they never had it, they had nothing to lose. One party would arraign Provi- dence for creating them orij^nally different, another for placing them in circumstances by which they inevitably became so. Let us search out the truth, and reconcile it after- wards."
. Here are sound philosophy and plain common sense. As the facts are open to investigation, let ns first examine them, and leave the in- ferences for future consideration. If the proposition prove true, we may safely trust all its legitimate deductions. There is no danger from the truth, neither will it conflict with any other truth. Our greater danger is from the cowardice that is afraid to look fact in the iace, and, not daring to come in contact with reality, for fear of con- sequences, must rest content with error and half-belief. The question here is one of fact simply, and not of speculation nor of feeling. Humboldt may deny the existence of unalterable diversities, but that is another question, also to be settled only by a wider observation and longer experience. The ethical consequences he so eloquently depre- cates, moreover, appear to me not to be fairly involved, unless he assumes that the solidarity and mutual moral relations of mankind originate solely in their relationship as descendants of a single pair. K so, he has built upon a sandy foundation, and one which eveiy moralist of note will tell him is inadequate to the support of his superstructure. The inalienable right of man to equal liberty with his fellows depends, if it has any sanction, upon higher considerations than any mere physical fact of consanguinity, and remains the same whether the latter be proved or disproved. Ethical principles require a different order of evidence from material phenomena, and are to be regarded from another point of view. The scientific question should, therefore, be discussed on its own merits, and without reference to false issues of an exciting character, if we hope to reach the truth. I cannot forbear the conclusion that, in this matter, the Kestor of science has been betrayed into a little piece of popular declamation, unworthy of his pen, otherwise so consistently logical. But the acme of absurdity is reached by those clerical gentiemen at the south, who have been so eager to avail themselves of Humboldt's great authority in opposition to the doctrine of diversity, while they deny all his pre- mises. Do they consider all doctrine necessarily de%olante^ because an argument in favor of slavery, true or false, may be based upon it ? Humboldt does. And again, if the denial of a common paternity involves all the deplorable consequences indicated by the latter, does
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itB assertion cany with it the contrary inferences ? They say not If, then, the doctrine of unity gives no essential guarantee of universal liberty and equality, why reproach the opposite doctrine with destroy- ing what never existed? Thus, these gentlemen must stultify either themselves or their champion, while that which with him was merely a rhetorical flourish becomes, in their hands, a ridiculous non sequitur.
In the course of these discussions it became necessary to define, with greater precision, certain terms in constant use. This was espe- dally the case with the word species^ the loose employment of which occasioned much confusion. According to the prevalent zoological doctrine, the production of a prolific ofispring is the highest evidence of specific identity, and vice versd. The important results of the application of this law to the races of men are apparent. But other authorities deny the validity of the alleged law and its application. " Wir durften," says Rudolphi, " also wohl deswegen auf Keine Einheit des Menschengesclilechts schliessen, weil die verschiedenen Menschen- stamme sich fruchtbar mit einan<^er begatten." The question of Hybridity, therefore, presented itself to Morton in a form that de- manded attention and settlement before going farther. He seized the subject, not to speculate, and still less to declaim about it, but cau- tiously to gather and sift its fiicts. His first papers were read before the Academy of Natural Sciences in November, 1846, and published in Silliman's Journal the next year. They contain a large number of &cts, from various authorities, together with the author's inferences. For these, and the entire discussion of the topic, I refer the reader to Chapter XH. (on Hybridity) in this work. But the controversy into which it led Morton forms too prominent a part of his scientific histoiy to be passed over in silence. It was not of his seeking, but was forced upon him. A literary club at Charleston, S. C, being engaged in the discussion of the Origin of Man, the Rev. Dr. Bach- man assumed the championship of the unitaiy hypothesis, taking ground upon the evidence afforded by an invariably prolific ofepring. His opponents met him with Morton's papers on Hybridity. These he must, of course, examine ; but he first addressed Morton a letter, of which the following is an extract : —
CharUiUm, Oct. 15/A, 1S49. "We are both in the eeareh of troth. I do not think that these soientific inyestigations affeet the soriptare question either way. The Author of Reyelation is also' the Author of Nature, and I haye no fear that when we are able to read intelligibly, we will discoyer that both harmonixe. We can then investigate these matters without the fear of an auto-da-fe from men of sense. In the meantime all must go with respect and good feeling towards each other. Although hard at work in finishing the last Tolume of Audubon's work, I will BOW and then haye time to look at this matter ; and here let me in anticipation state some
of my objections But I am OTcrrun with calls of duty, and haye
written this under all kinds of ihterraptions. I shall be most sorry if my opposition to your theory would produce the slightest interruption to our good feeling, as I regard you, in your many works, as a benefactor to your country, and an honor to science. I feel oon- t
liT XEXOIB OF aU-MUEIi G£l>RGE HOBTOK.
IMent HhU I can sottter tome of jenrfaoti to tho winds «t- fiat i» ottnra you irtll be<T«y apt to trip up my own heels ; bo let us work hamioiuoQ^j lo^e^er. Ai the English Uidr Tersides thej haye wranglers, hut no qnarrellers."
This seems manly and fiiendly, and JCortooi, 4^e^g it to be soeh^ was very much gratified. He certaualy neirer could have regarded it as a prelude to an attack upon himself ; yet fluoh it was. The neoct spring (1860) witnessed the publication of Dr. B/s book on Unity, as well as his Monograph on Hyhridity, m the dttrleston Medical Joumal, in both of which Morton is made the objeot of assault and attempted ridicule. The former work I have already jrefinared to, (p. xlvi.) The author starts with what amounts, under the ciitcmnstances, to a broaA and unequivocal confession of ignorance of his topic — a confession which, however praiseworthy on the eeooe of ftankness, may be »^ garded as wholly supererogatory ; for no reader of (nrdinaiy intelligence can open the book without paroeiving1be&ct£drbimself. His reading seems to have been singularly limited,* while &b ti^ic, involving, as it does, the characteristics of remote caces, &;e«, demands a wide and careful consultation of authorities. For one who is confessedlj neither an archaeologist, an anatcmiist, nor a philologist, to attempt to teach Ethnology on the strength of having, many years ago, read on the subject a single work — and he scarcely recollects what — is a conception as bold as it is original. His production requined no notice, of course, at the hand of Morton* On the special subject of Hybridity, however, he was entitled to an attentive hearing as a genr tleman of established authority, particularly in the mammalian do* partment of Zoology. Had he discussed it in the spirit foreshadowed by his letter, and which Morton anticipated, there would have been no controversy, but an amicable comparison of views, advancing the cause of science. But his tone was arrogant and dFensive. 'Not only tp the general reader in his book, but also to M(»ion in his letten,
* « In preparing these notes we haTO eyen resoWed not to refer to Prichard--who, we believe, is jnsUy regarded as one of oar best authorities — vfhote work we read with great «b- ieresi tome yeare ago, (and which is aHowed even by his opponents to have been written in « spirit of great fairness,) and many of whose argnmente we st the time considered nnaft- swerable." (p. 16.)
« After tiiis work was neac^ printed, we procured Prichard's Natural History of Han-* Aw oHur worka we have mt teen. We were aware of the eonolnsioBS at which hie mind had arrived, bnt not of the proeefis by whioh his investigatiens had besn pursued." (p. 804.)
Now, as the Natoral History was not published nntil IS4S, it eonld hardly be the boeik read '* some years ago" (prior to 1S49) ; especially as Dr. B. confesses ignorance <'of th« prooess, &a" [«i^a.] That most have been one of the earlier yolumes of the Phynetd Retearehetf commenced in 1S12, probably the very first, which leaves the snbject short of the point to which Blomenbach subsequently brought it But Dr. B. assures us again, that other work of Prichard than the Natural History he '< has never seen." Then he never saw any, before writing his own book I His memory is certainly extremely vague. It is safi to conclude, however, that he undertook to write upon this difficult subject without the diieot consultation of a single authority :— the result is what might be readily anticipated.
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does he speak de 7u^ sn basj as if, from the height of the pulpit, he was looking down upon men immeasurably removed from him by Jus sacred office. This fitulty manner perhaps results fr^m his pro- fession, as does his yerbose and declamatory siyle. But this coned- deration will not excuse the patronizing way in which he addresses .^ne of higher ficientifio rank than himself. He reminds l^Iorton of the counten;raice he has heretcfore given him, — ^thathe even subscribed £>r his book ! The wt&oiTties relied upon by the latter he treats with supreme contempt, individually and collectively, characterizing them ^0 pedantic, antiquated, and .^^ musty .^^ All this is carried through in a bold, dashing, offJiand way, calculated to impress forcibly any leader ignorant of the mattor under discussion. It argues the most ^eonfident selfcomplaoency and conviction of superiority on the part jof the writer, and doubtiess his admiring readers shared the feeling. For a short season there was quite a jubilation over the assumed defeat of the physiciBts.
But there is an Italian provei*b which says, Nbn sempre chi cantando viene^ cantando va! and which Dr. B. was destined to illustrate. To his first paper ICorton replied in a letter dated March 80th, 1850, the tone of which is calm, dignified, and friendly. He defends his autho- rities, accumulates new evidence, and strengthens and defines his position. This called forth Dr. B.'s most objectionable letter of June 12th, 1850, also published in the Charleston Journal, and in which he entirely passes the bounds of propriety. No longer satisfied with his poor attempts at wit, which consist almost exclusively in the use of the word " old" and its synonymes, he becomes denunciatory, and even abusive. He charges Morton with taking part in a deliberate conspiracy, having its ramifications in four cities, for tie overthrow of a doctrine ^'nearly connected with the faith and hope of the Chris- tian, for this world and for eternity.^' In another paragraph, (p. 507,) he says, that infideUty must inevitably spring up as the consequence of adopting Morton's views. Now, we all know that when gentle- men of Dr. B.'s cloth use that word, they mean war vsque ad necem. Its object/is simply to do mischief and give pain. It cannot injure
* Dr. Bachman's contempt for eyerytbing " old*' is certaiDlj Tery onriou in one so likely, from calling and position, to be particolarly conservative. Nor is this his only singularity. His pertinaoioos ascription of a remote date to every one whose name has a Latinized termination, reminds one of the story told of the backwoods lawyer, who persisted in numbering *< old Cantimrides" among the sages of antiquity. He is particularly hard npon <* old Hellenius," never failing to give him a passing flont, and talking about raising his ghost The writings of Dr. B. do not indicate a very sensitive person, yet even he must have felt a considerable degree of the sensation known as culit anterina, when he receivea the information, conveyed in Morton's quietest manner, that " old Hellenius," with others of his so-called << musty*' authorities, were his own contemporaries ! The work of Chevreul, which he disposes of in the same supereilious wny, bears the extreme date of 1S46 1
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the person attacked, so far as the scientific world is concerned — for there the phrase can now only excite a smile — but it may impair his business or his public standing, or, still worse, it may enter his do- mestic circle, and wound him through his tenderest sympathies. Was such the intention in the present case ? Charity bids us think otherwise ; and yet the attack has a very malignant appearance. To Morton it occasioned great surprise and pain. He answered it calmly in a paper in the same Journal, entitled Additional Observationsy kc. He is unwavering in the assertion of his opinion ; and, inasmuch as its triumphant establishment would be his own best justification, he piles up still more and more evidence, often from the highest autho- rities in I^atural Histoiy. The personalities of Dr. B. he meets and refutes briefly, but with firmness and dignity, declining entirely to allow himself to be provoked into a bandying of epithets. His con- duct was in striking contrast with that of his reverend opponent ; and, while it exalted him in the estimation of the learned everywhere, showed the latter to be a stranger to the courtesies that should characterize scientific discussion. More of a theological polemic than a naturalist, he uses the tone and style proverbially displayed by the former, and is offensive accordingly. He has his punishment in general condemnation and impair^ scientific standing. In the mean time, Morton was stimulated to a determination to exhaust whatever material there was accessible in regard to Hybridity. Dr. Bachman he dropped entirely after the second letter; but he an- nounced to his friends his intention of sending an article regularly for each successive number of the Charleston Journal, so long as new matter presented. Two only of these supplementaiy communications appeared, the last being dated January 31st, 1851.
But the solemn termination of all these labors waa near at hand. Never had Morton been so busy as in that spring of 1861. His pro- fessional engagements had largely increased, and occupied most of his time. His qraniological investigations were prosecuted with un- abated zeal, and he had recentiy made important accessions to his collection. He was actively engaged in the study of Archseology, Egyptian, Assyrian, and American, as collateral to his favorite sub- ject. His researches upon Hybridity cost him much labor, in his .extended comparison of authorities, and his industrious search for &cts bearing on the question. In addition to all this, he was occu- pied with the preparation of his contribution to the work of Mr. Schoolcraft, and of several minor papers. Most of these labors were left incomplete. The fragments published in this volume will show how his mind was engaged, and to what conclusions it tended at the close. For it was now, in the midst of toil and useftilness, that he was called away from us. Five days of illness — not considered
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MEMOIR OF SAMUEL GEORGE MORTON. Ivli
alarming at first — ^had scarcely prepared his friends for the sad event, when it was announced, on the 16th of May, that Morton was no more ! It was too true — he had left vacant among us a place that cannot soon be filled. Peacefully and calmly he had gone to his eternal rest, having accomplished so much in his shoil; space of life, and yet leaving so much undone, that none but he could do as well !
So lived and so died our lamented friend. While we deplore his loss, however, we cannot but perceive that few men have been more blessed in life than he. His career waa cin eminently prosperous and successftd one. Very few have ever been so uniformly successful in their enterprises. He established, with unusual rapidity, a wide- spread scientific fame, upon the white radiance of which he has, dying, left not a single blot. His life was also a fortunate and happy one in its more private relations. His first great grief came upon him, precisely a year before his own decease, in the loss of a beloved son, to whom he was tenderly attached. No other cloud than this obscured his clear horizon to the last. That he felt it deeply there can be no doubt ; but he had, at his heart's core, the sentiment that can rob sorrow of its bitterness, and death of its sting. To that seYi- timent he has given utterance in these lines ; and, with their quotation, I conclude this notice, the preparation of which has been to me a labor of love, and the solace, for a season, of a bed of suffering.
Jan. 1854. H. S. P.
What art thoa, world ! with thy beguiliDg dreamB,
Thjr banquets and carousals, pomp and pride I What is thy gayest moment, when it teems
With pleasures won, or prospects yet untried? What are thy honors, titles and renown,
Thy brightest pageant, and thy noblest sway? Alas! like flowers beneath the tempest's frown,
They bloom at mom, — at eve they fade away t A few short years reToWe, and then no more
Can Memory rouse them from their resting-place ; The Joys we courted, and the hopes we bore,
Have pass'd like shadows from our fond embrace. But is there nought, amid the fearful doom,
That can outlast the wreck of mortal things T There is a spirit that does not consume,
But mounts o'er ruin with, triumphant wings. And thou, Religion 1 like a guardian star
Dost glitter in the firmament on high, And lead'st us still, tho' we have wander'd fkr,
To hopes that cheer, and joys that nerer diet And if an erring pilgrim on his way
Casts but a pure, a suppliant glance to HeaTen, *' Fear not — benighted child*' — ^he hears thee say—
*< For they are doubly blest that are forgiven I "
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&
SKETCH
NATURAL PROVINCES OF THE ANDCAL' WORLD AND THEIR RELATION TO TraE DIFFERENT TTPES OF MAN.
BT LOUIfl JlOIlSSIS.
llMtrs. NoTT and Gliddoh.
Dear Sirt: — In ooiiipliane« wHh your request that I^shoald ftuniflli yoa with certain Bcie&tifio facts respecting the Natural History of Man, to which you are now deroting par- ticularly your attention, I transmit to you some general remarks npon the natural relations of the human family and the organic world surrounding it ; in the hope that it may call the attention of naturalists to the dose eormeetum then ia between ike geographU(d diHribuHon iff animaU and the natural bowtdariee of the deferent raeee of man -4- a iVtet which must be explained by any theory of the origin of life iHiich claims to coyer the whole of this diffi- cult problem. I do not pretend to present such a theory now, but would simply illustrate the facts as they are, to lay the foundation of a more extensiye work to be puUished at some future time. Nor is it my intention to characterize here all the zoological provinces recognized by naturalists, but only those the animals of which are known with sufficient accuracy to throw light upon the sulifject under consideration. Of the marine animals, I shall therefore take no notice, except so far as they bear a special relation to the habits of uncivilized races or to the commercial enterprise of the world. The views illustrated in the following pages have been expressed for the first time by me in a paper, published in French, in the Revue Sutete for 1845.
Very truly, jroiOB,
Ls. Agassis.
Cambridge, Mass., Dec. 19th, 1858.
There is one feature in the physical history of mankind which has been entirely neglected by those who have studied this subject, viz., the natural relations between the different ^ypes of man and the animals and plants inhabiting the same regions. The sketch here presented is intended to supply this deficiency, as far as it is possible in a mere outline delineation, and to show that the boundaries, within which the different natural combinationM of animaU are known to be eircuTMcribed upon the surface of our earth, coincide with the natural range of distinct types of man. Such natural combinations of animals circumscribed within definite boundaries are called faunee, whatever
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PRoyracBS OF the jinimal -woblix, «tc. lix
be their home •*- land, sea, or river. Among the animals which com- pose the fauna of a country, we find types belonging exclusively there, and not occurring elsewhere ; such are, iGar example, the omi- thorhynchus of New Holland, the sloths of America, the hippopota- mus of Africa, and the walruses of the arctics : others, which have only a small number of representatives beyond the feuna which they specially characterize, as, for instance, the marsupials of New Hol- land, of which America has a few species, such as the opossum ; and again others which have a wider range, such as the bears^ of which there are distinct species in Europe,. Asia, or America, or the mice and bats, which are to be found all over the world, except in the arctics. That fauna will, therefbre, be most easily characterised which possesses the largest number of distinct types, proper to itself, and of which the other animsds have little analogy with those of neighboring regions, as, for example, the fauna of New Holland.
The inhabitants of fresh waters furnish also excellent characters for the .circumscription of fanned. The fishes, and other fluviatile animab from the larger h^'drographic basins, differ no less from each other than the mammalia, the birds, the reptiles, and the insects of the countries which ^Jiese rivers water. Neverflieless^ some authors have attempted to separate the fresh water animals from those of the limd and sea^ and to establish distinct divisions for them, under the name of fluviatile faunsd^ But the inhabitants of the rivers and lakes are too intimately connected with those of their shores to allow of a rigorous distinction of this kind. Rivers never establish a sepa* ration between terrestrial faun»« For the same reason, the faunse of the inland seas cannot be completely isolated from the terrestrial ones, and we shall see here^ter that the animals of southern Europe are not bound by the Mediterranean, but are fi>und on the southern shore of that sea^ as &r as the Atlas* ^Ve shall, therefore, distin- guish our zoological regions according to -the combination of species which they enclose^ ratJbk^ than according to the element in which we find them*
If the grand divisions of the animal kingdom are primordial and independent of climate, this is net the caae with regard to the Tilti- mate local circumscription of species: these are, on the contrary, intimately connected with the conditions of temperature, soil, and vegetation. A remarkable instance of this distribution of animals with reference to climate may be observed in the arctic &una, which contains a great number of species common to the three continents converging towards the North Pole, and which presents a striking uniformity, when compared with the diversity of the temperate and tropical faunse of those same continents.
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The arctic fi&una extends to the utmost limits of the cold and bar- ren regions of the North. But from the moment that forests appear, and a more propitious soil permits a larger development of animal life and of vegetation,* we see the fauna and flora, not only diversified according to the continents on which they exist, but we observe also striking distinctions between different parts of the same continent ; thus, in the old world, the animals vary, not only from the polar circle to the equator, but also in the opposite direction — those of the western coast of Europe are not the same as those of the basin of the Caspian Sea, or of the eastern coast of Asia, nor are those of the eastern coast of America the same as those of the western.
The first fauna, the limits of which we would determine with pre- cision, is the arctic. It offers, as we have just seen, the same aspects in three parts of the world, which converge towards the North Pole, The uniform distribution of the animals by which it is inhabited forms its most striking character, and gives rise to a sameness of general features which is not found in any other region. Though the air-breathing species are not numerous here, the large number of individuals compensates for this deficiency, and among the marine animals we find an astonishing profrision and variety of forms.
In this respect the vegetable and animal kingdoms differ entirely fi^m each other, and the measure by which we estimate the former is quite Mse as applied to the latter. Plants become stunted in their growth or disappear before the rigors of the climate, while, on the contrary, all classes of the animal kingdom have representatives, more or less numerous, in the arctic &una.
Neither can they be said to diminish in size under these influences ; for, if the arctic representatives of certain classes, particularly the insects, are smaller than the analogous types in the tropics, we must not forget, on the other hand, th^t the whales and larger cetacea have here theirTuost genial home, and make amends, by their more powerful structure, for the inferiority of other classes. Also, if the animals of the North are less striking in external ornament — if their colors are less brilliant — yet we cannot say that they are more uniform, for though their tints are not so bright, they are none the less varied in their distribution and arrangement
The limits of the arctic fituna are veiy easily traced. We must include therein all animals living beyond the line where forests cease, and inhabiting countries entirely barren. Those which feed upon flesh seek fishes, hares, or lemmings, a rodent of the size of our rat. Those which, live on vegetable substances are not numerous. Some gramineous plants, mosses, and lichens, serve as pasture to the rumi- nants and rodents, while the seeds of a few flowering plants, and
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AND THEIR RELATION TO TYPES OP MAN hd
of the dwarf birches, afford nourishment to the little granivorous birds, such as linnets and buntings. The species belonging to the sea-shore feed upon marine animals, which live, themselves, upon each other, or upon marine plants.
The larger mammalia which inhabit this zone are — the white bear, the. walrus, numerous species of seal, the reindeer, the musk ox, the narwal, the cachalot, and whales in abundance. Among the smaller species we may mention the white fox, the polar hare, and the lemming. The birds are not less characteristic. Some marine eagles, and wading birds in smaller number, are found; but the aquatic birds of the femily of palmipedes are those which especially prevail. The coasts of the continents and of the numerous islands in the arctic seas are peopled by clouds of gannets, of cormorants, of penguins, of petrels, of ducks, of geese, of mergansers, and of gulls, some of which are as large as eagles, and, like them, live on prey. No reptile is known in this zone. Fishes are, however, very numerous, and the rivers especially swarm with a variety of species of the salmon fEanily. A number of representatives of the inferior classes of worms, of Crustacea, of moUusks, of echinoderms, and of mousse, are also found here.
fWiOnu the limits of this fauna we meet a peculiar race of men, known in America under the name of Esquimaux^and under the names of Laplanders, Samojedes, and Tchuktshes m the north of Asia. This race, so well known since the voyi^e of Capt Cook and the arctic expeditions of England and Bussia, (differs alike from the Indians of North America, from the whites of Europe, and the Mon- gols of Asia, to whom they are adjacent) The uniformity of their ) characters along the whole range of the arctic seas forms one of the . most striking resemblances which these people exhibit to the &una ' . with which they are so closely connected. *^
The semi-annual alternation of day and night in the arctic regions has a great influence upon their modes of living. They are entirely dependent upon animal food for their sustenance, no farinaceous grains, no nutritious tubercles, no juicy fruits, growing under those inhospitable latitudes. Their domesticated animals are the reindeer in Asia, and a peculiar variety of dog, the Esquimaux dog, in JETorth America, where even the? reindeer is not domesticated.
Though the arctic fauna is essentially comprised in the arctic circle, its organic limit does not correspond rigorously to this line, but rather to the isotherme of 82** Fahr., the outline of which presents numerous undulations. This limit is still more natural when it is made to correspond with that of the. disappearance of forests. It then circumscribes those immense plains of the Forth, which the Bamoyedes call tundrat, and the Anglo-Americans, iarren land$.
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bm BROTIirCXS OF THS^ ilK CUJIL. VTOBXD,.
The nataralistBy w!io have orerlbokcd this &mia, and connected it with those of the temperate zone, have introduced much confusion in tiie geographical distribution of animals, and have Mled to recognize the remarkable coincidence existing between the extensive range of /the arctic race of men^ and the uniformitp^ of the axumal world around the Northern Pole*
The first column of the accompanying tableau r^reeents the types which characterize best this fauna ; viz^ the white or polar bear, liM walrus, the seal of Greenland, the reindeer, Ihe right whale, and the eider duck. The vegetation is represented by the so-ealled reindeer^ moss, a lichen which constitutes the chief food of the herbivorous animals of the arctics and the high Alps, during winter.
To the glacial zone,, which incloses a single fauna, succeeds the temperate zone,, included between the isothermes of 32^, and 74^ Fahr., characterised by its pine forests, its amentacea, its maples, its walnuts, and its fruit trees, and from the midst of which anse like islands, lofty mountain chains or high table-lands, clothed with a vegetation which, in many respects, recalls that of the glacial regions. The geographici^ distribution of animals in tiiia zone, forms several closely connected, but distinct combinations. It is the country of the terrestrial bear, of the wolf, the fox, the weasel, the marten, the otter, tiie lynx, the horse and the ass, the boar, and a great number of stags, deer, elk, goats, sheep, bulls, hares, squirrels, rats, &c. ; to which are added soutiiward, a few representatives of the tropical aone.
Wherever this zone is not modified by extensive and high table- lands and mountain chains, we may distinguish in it four secondary zones, approximating gradually to the character of the tropics, and presenting therefore a greater diversity in the types of its southern representation than we &ad among those -of its northern boundaries. We have first, adjoining the arctics, a sttb-arcttc zone, with an almost uniform appearance in the old as well as the new worid, in which pine forests prevail, the home of the moose ; next, a cold temperate zane^ in which amentaceous trees are combined with pines, the home of the fur animals ; next, a warm temperate zoncy in which the pines recede, whilst to the prevailing amentaceous trees a variety of ever- greens are added, the chief seat of the culture of our fruit trees, .and of the wheat ; and a mb-tropical zoncy in which a number of tropical forms are combined with those characteristic of the warm temperate zone. Yet there is throughout the whole of the temperate zone one feature prevailing ; the repetition, under corresponding latitudes, but under diflferent longitudes, of the same genera and families, repre- sented m each botanical or zoological proviAce by distinct so-called
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analogous or repre%entat%ve speoiea^ with a very few subordinate types, peculiar to each province ; for it is not until we reach the tropical zone that we find distinct types prevailing in each fauna and flora. Again, owing to the inequalities of the sur£arce, the secondary zones are more or less blended into one another, as for instance, in the table-lands of Central Asia, and Western North America, where the whole temperate zone preserves the features of a cold temperate re- gion; or the colder zones may appear like islands rising in the midst of the warmer ones, as the Pyrenees, the Alps, &c., the summits of which partake of the peculiarities of the arctic and sub-arctic zones, whilst the valleys at their base are characterised by the flora and feuna of the cold or warm temperate zones. It may be prop^ to remark, in this connection, that the study of the laws regulating the geographical distribution of natural fetmilies of animak and plants upon the whole surfiace of our globe differs, entirely, fix)m that of the associations and combinations of a variety of animals and plants^ within definite regions, forming peculiar fitunse and flora.
Considering the whole range of the temperate zone from east to west, we may divide it in accordance with the prevailing physical features into — 1st, an ^ato^ realm, embracing Mantchuria, Japan,, China, Mongolia, and passing through Turkestan into 2d, the JEuro^ pean realm, which includes Iran as well as Asia Minor, Mesopotamia,, northern Arabia and Bar'bary, as well as Europe, properly so called ;. the western parts of ALsia, and the northern parts of Africa being intimately connected by their geological structure with the southem parts of Europe ; * and, 3d, the North American realm, which Qxiiends as far south as the table-land of Mexico.
With these qualifications, we may proceed to consider th& ftiiinsB which characterize these three realms. But, before studying the or- ganic characters of this zone, let us glance at its physical constitulaon. The most marked character of the temperate zone is found in the inequality of the four seasons, which give to the earth a peculiar aspect in different epochs of the year, and in the gradual, though more or less rapid passage of these seasons into* each other. The v^etation particularly undergoes marked modifications; completely arrested, or merely suspended, for a longer or shorter time, according to the proximity of the arctic or the tropical zone, we find it by turns in a prolonged lethargy, or in a state of energetic and sustained development. But in this respect there is a decided contrast between the cold and warm portions of the temperate zone. Though they
* For further eridence that Iran, Asia Minor, Mesopotamia^ Northern Arabia and Northern Africa, belong naturally to the European realm, see Qvyoi*9 Earth and Man. 5
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are both characterized by the predominance of the same families of plants, and in particular by the presence of numerous species of the coniferous and amentaceous plants, yet the periodical sleep which deprives the middle latitudes of their verdure, is more complete in the colder regidn than in the warmer, which is already enriched by some southern forms of vegetation, and where a part of the trees remain green all the year. The succession of the seasons produces, more- over, such considerable changes in the climatic conditions in this zone, that all the animals belonging to it cannot sustain them equally well. Hence a large number of them migrate at different seasons from one extremity of the zone to the other, especially certain fami- lies of birds. It is known to all the world that the birds of If orthem Europe and America leave their ungenial clittiate in the winter, seek- ing wacmer regions as far as the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterra- nean, the shores of which, even those of the African coasts, make a part of the temperate zone. Analogous migrations take place also in the north of Asia. Such migrations are not, hQwever, limited to the temperate zone "; a number of species from the arctic regions go for the winter into the temperate zone, and the limits of these migra- tions may aid us in tracing the natural Hmits of the faunae, which thus link themselves to each other, as the human races are connected by civilizatioii.
The temperate zone is not <^aracterized, like the arctic, by one and the same fauna ; it does not form, as the arctic does, one continuous zoological zone around the globe. Not only do the animals change from one hemisphere to another, but these differences exist even be- tween various regions of the same hemisphere. The species belonging to the western countries of the old world are not identical with those of the eastern countries. It is true that they often resemble each other so closely, that until very recently they have been confounded. It has been reserved, however, for modern zoology and botany to detect these nice distinctions. For instance, the coniferae of the old world, even within the sub-arctic zone, are not identical with those of America. Instead of the Norway and black pine, we have here the balsam and the white spruce ; instead of the common fir, the PinuB rigida; instead ot the European larch, the hacmatac, &p. ; and farther south the differences are still more striking. In the temperate zone proper, the oaks, the beeches, the birches, the hornbeams, the hophornbeams, the chestnuts, the buttonwoods, the elms, the linden, the maples, and the walnuts, are represented in each continent by peculiar species differing more or less, vj^eculiar forms make, here and there, their appearance, such as the gum-trees, the tulip-trees, the magnolias. The evergreens are still more .diversified, — ^we need only
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AND THEIR RELATION TO TYPES OP MAN, Ixv
mention the camelias of Japan, and the kalmias of America sa exam- ples. Among the tropical fonns extending into the warm temperate zone, we notice particularly the palmetto in the southern United States, and the dwarf chamaerops of southern Europe. . The animal kingdom presents the same features. In Europe we have, for in- stance, the brown bear ; in North America, the black bear ; in Asia, the bear of Tubet : the European stag, and the European deer, are represented in North America by the Canadian stag, or wapiti, and the American deer ; and in eastern Asia, by the musk-deer. Instead of the mouflon, North America has the big-horn or mountain sheep, and Asia the argali. The North American buffalo is represented in Europe by the wild auerochs^ of Lithuania, and in Mongolia by the yak ; the wild-cats, the martens and weasels, the wolves and foxes, the squirrels and mice (excepting the imported house-mouse), the birds, the reptiles, the fishes, the insects, the moUusks, &c., though more or less closely allied, are equally distinct specifically. The types peculiar to the old or the new world are few ; among them may be mentioned the horse and ass and the dromedary of Asia, and the opossum of North America ; but upon this subject more details may be found in every text-book of zoology and botany. We would only add that in the present state of our knowledge we recognise the fol- lowing combinations of animals within the limits of the temperate zone, which may be considered as so many distinct zoological pro- vinces or faunse.
In the Asiatic realms — 1st, a north-eastern fauna, the Japanese fauna; 2d, a south-eastern fauna, the Chinese fauna^ and a central fauna, the Mongolian fauna^ followed westwards by the Caspian fauna, which partakes partly of the Asiatic and partly of ihe Euro- pean zoological character; its most remarkable animal, antelope saiga, ranging west as &r as southern Russia. The Japanese and the Chinese faunae stand to each other in the same relation as southern ^ Europe and north Africa, and it remains to be ascertained by farther investigations whether the Japanese fauna ought not to be subdivided into a more eastern insular fauna, the Japanese fauna proper^ and a more western continental fauna, which might be called the Mandshu- rian or Tongousian fauna. But since it is not my object to describe separately all faunse, but chiefly to call attention to the coincidence existing between the natural limitation of the races of man, and the geographical range of the zoological provinces, I shall limit myself here to some general remarks respecting the Mongolian fauna, in order to show that the Asiatic zoological realm differs essentially from the European and the American. In our Tableau, the second column represents the most remarkable animals of this fauna ; the
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bear of Tubet (ursue thibetanus), the musk-deer (moschus moschiferus), the Tzeiran (antilope gatturosa), the Mongolian goat (capra sibirica), the argali (ovis argali), and the yak (bos grunniens). Thii^ is also the home of the Bactrian or double-hunched camel, and of the wild horse (equus caballus), the wild ass (equus onager), and another equine species, the Dtschigetai (equus hemionus). The wide distribution of the musk-deer in the Altai, and the Himmalayan and Chinese Alps, shows the whole Afiiatic range of the temperate zone to be a most natural zoological realm, subdivided into distinct pro- vinces by the greater localization of the largest number of its repre- sentatives.
K we now ask what are the nations of men inhabiting those re- gions, we find that they all belong to the so-called Mongolian race, the natural limits of which correspond exactly to the range of the Japanese, Chinese, Mongolian and Caspian faunee taken together, and that peculiar types, distinct nations of this race, cover respec- tively the different faunse of this realm. The Japanese inhabiting the Japanese zoological province; the Chinese, the Chinese pro- vince; the Mongols, the Mongolian province; and the Turks, the Caspian province ; eliminating, of course, the modem establishment of Turks in Asia Minor and Europe.
The unity of Europe, (exclusive of its arctic regions,) in connection with soutii^westem Asia and northern Africa, as a distinct zoological realm, is established by the range of its mammalia and by the limits of the migrations of its birds, as well as by the physical features of its whole extent. Thus we find its deer and stag, its bear, its hare, its squirrel, its wolf and wild-cat, its fox and jackal, its otter, its weasel and marten, its badger, its bear, its mole, its hedgehogs, and a number of bats, either extending over the whole realm in Europe, western Asia, and north Afiica, or so linked together as to show that in their combination with the birds, reptiles, fishes, &c., of the same countries, they constitute a natural zoological association analogous to that of Asia, but essentially different in reference to species. Like the eastern realm, this European world may be sub-divided into a number of distinct faunse, characterized each by a variety of peculiar animals. In western Asia we find, for instance, the common camel, instead of the Bactrian, whilst Mount Sinai, Mounts Taurus and Caucasus have goats and wild sheep which diflFer as much fi^m those of Asia, as they difter from those of Greece, of Italy, of the Alps, of the Pyrenees-, of the Atlas, and of Egypt. Wild horses are known to have inhabited Spain and Germany ; and a wild bull ex- tended over the whole range of central Europe, which no longer exists there. The Asiatic origin of our domesticated animals may.
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therefore, well be questioned, even if we were still to refer western Asia to the Asiatic realm ; since the ass, and some of the breeds of our horse, only belong to the table-lands of Iran and Mongolia, whilst the other species, including the cat, may all be traced to species of the European realm. The domesticated cat is referred by Riippell to felis maniculata of Egypt; by others, to felis catus ferus of central Europe ; thus, in both cases, to an animal of the European realm. Whether the dog be a species by itself, or its varieties derived from several species which have completely amalgamated, or be it descended from the wolf, Ihe fox, or the jackal, every theory must Hmit its natural range to the European world. The merino sheep is still represented in the wild state by the mouflon of Sardinia, and was formerly wild in all tiie mountains of Spain ; whether the sheep of the patriarchs were derived from those of Mt Taurus, or fit)m Armenia, still they differed from those of western Europe ; since, a thousand years before our era, the Phoenicians preferred the wool fi^m the Iberian peninsula to that of their Syrian neighbours. The goats differ so much in different parts of the world, that it is still less possible to refer them to one common stock; and while •Nepaul and Caahmere have their own breeds, we may well consider those of Egypt and Sinai as distinct, especially as they differ equally from those of Caucasus and of Europe. The common bull is derived from the wild species which has become extinct in Europe, and is not identical with any of Ihe wild species of Asia, notwithstanding some assertions to the contrary. The hog descends fi^m the common boar, now found wild over the whole temperate zone in the Old World. Both ducks and geese have their wild representatives in Europe ; so also the pigeon. As for the common fowls, they are decidedly of east Asiatic origin ; but the period of their importation is not well known, nor even the wild species fit)m which they are derived. The wild turkey is well known as an inhabitant of the American continent.
Now, taking further into account the special distribution of all the animals, wild as well as domesticated, of the European temperate zone. We may sub-divide it into the following eight faunae: — 1st, Scandinavian fauna; 2d, Russian fauna ; 3d, 27ie fauna of Central Europe; 4th, The fauna of Southern Europe; 5th, The fauna of Iran ; 6th, The Syrian fauna ; 7th, The Egyptian fauna ; and 8th, The fauna of the Atlas. The special works upon the zoology of Europe, the great works illustrative of the French expeditions in Egypt, Morocco, and Algiers, the travels of Ruppell and Russeger in Egypt and Syria, of M. Wagner in Algiers, of Demidoff in southern Russia, &c. &c., and the special treatises on the geographical distribu- tion of mammalia by A. Wagner, and of animals in general by
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Ixviii PROVINCES OF THE ANIMAL WORLD
Schmarda, may furnish more details upon the zoology of these
countries.
^ Here, again, it cannot escape the attention of the careful observer,
that the European zoological realm is circumscribed within exactly
^ the same limits as the so-called white race of man, includinjej, as it does, the inhabitants of south-western Asia, and of north Africa, with the lower parts of the valley of the Nile. "We exclude, of course, modem migrations and historical changes of habitation from this assertion. Our statements are to be und.erstood aa referring only to the aboriginal or ante-historical distribution of man, or rather to the distribution as history finds it. And in this respect there is a singular fact, which historians seem not to have sufficiently appre- ciated, that the earliest migrations recorded, in any form, shgw us man meeting man, wherever he moves upon the inhabitable surface of the globe, si^iall islands excepted.
It is, farther, very striking, that the diflferent sub-divisions of this race, even to the limits of distinct nationalities, cover precisely the
: same ground as the special faunse or zoological provinces of this most
' important pfirt of the world, which in all ages has been the seat of the onost advanced civilization. In the south-west of Asia we find (along the table-land of Iran) Persia and Asia Minor ; in the plains southward, Mesopotamia and Syria ; along the sea-shores, Palestine and Phoenicia; in the valley of the Nile, Egypt; and along the southern shores of Africa, Bai'bary. Thus we have Semitic nations covering the north African and south-west Asiatic feunse, while the south European peninsulas, including Asia Minor, are inhabited by Grseco-Eoman nations, and the cold, temperate zone, by Celto-Ger- manic nations ; the eastern range of Europe being peopled by Sclaves. This coincidence may justify tiie inference of an independent origin for these different tribes, as soon as it can be admitted that the races of men were primitively created in nations ; the more so, since all of them claim to have been autochthones of the countries they inhabit. This claim is so universal that it well deserves more attention. It may be more deeply founded than historians, generally, seem inclined to grant.
f The third column of our Tableau exhibits the animals characteristic of the temperate part of the European zoological realm, and shows their close resemblance to those of the corresponding Asiatic fauna; the species being representative species of the same genera, with the exception of the musk-deer, which has no analogues in Europe.
Though temperate America resembles closely, in its animal crea- tion, the countries of Europe and Asia belonging to the same zone, T^e meet with physical and organic features in this continent which
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differ entirely from those of the Old World. The tropical realms, connected there with those of the temperate zone, though bound together by some analogies, differ essentially from one another. Tropical Africa has hardly any species in common with Europe, though we may remember that the lion once extended to Greece, and that the jackal is to this day found upon some islands in the Adriatic, and in Morea. Tropical Asia differs equally from its temperate regions, and Australia forms a world by itself. Not so in southern America. The range of mountains which extends, in almost un- broken continuity, from the Arctic to Cape Horn, establishes a similarity between North and South America, which may be traced also, to a great degree, in its plants and animals. Entire families which are peculiar to this continent have their representatives in North, as well as South America, the cactus and didelphis, for instance ; some species, as the puma^ or American lion, may even be traced from Canada to Patagonia. In connection with these facts, we find that tropical America, though it has its peculiar types, as characteristic as those of tropical Africa, Asia, and Australia, does not furnish analogues of the giants of Africa and Asia; its largest pachyderms being tapirs and pecans, not elephants, rhinoceroses, and hippopotami ; and its largest ruminants, the llamas and alpacas, and not camels and giraffes ; whilst it reminds us, in many respects, of Australia, with which it has the type of marsupials in common, though ruminants and pachyderms, and even monkeys, are entirely wanting there. Thus, with due qualification, it may be said, that the whole continent of America, when compared with the corresponding twin-continents of Europe —Africa or Asia— Australia is characterized by a much greater, uniformity of its natural productions, combined with a special localization of many of its subordinate types, which will justify the establishment of many special feunse within its boundaries. ;;^
With these fects before us, we may expect that there should be no great diversity among the tribes of man inhabiting this continent ; and, indeed, the most extensive investigation of their peculiarities has led Dr. Morton to consider them as constituting but a single race,) from the confines of the Esquimaux down to the southernmost ex- tremity of the continent. But, at the same time, it should be remembered that, in accordance with the zoological character of the whole realm, this race is divided into an infinite number of small tribes, presenting more or less difference one from another. /
As to the special faunae of the American continent, we may distin- guish, within the temperate zone, a Canadian fauna^ extending from Newfoundland across the great lakes to the base of the Rocky moun-
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IXX PROVINCES OP THE ANIMAL WORLD
tains, a feuna of the North American tahle-landy a fauna of the North- we9t coast, a fauna of the middle United States, a fauna of the soiUhem United States, and a Oalifomian fauna, the characteristic features of which I shall describe on another occasion.
/ When we consider, however, the isolation of the American conti- nent from those of the Old "World, nothing is more striking in the \ geographical distribution of animals, than the exact correspondence \ of all the animals of the northern temperate zone of America with those of Europe : all the characteristic forms of which, as may be seen by the fourth column of our Tableau, belong to the same genera, with the exception only of a few subordinate typeb, not represented among our figures — such as the opossum and the skunk. "" In tropical America we may distinguish a Central American fauna, a Brazilian fauna, 2i, fauna of the Pampas, v^ fauna of the Cordilleras, a Peruvian fauna, and a Patagonian fauna ; but it is unnecessary for our purpose to mention here their characteristic features, which may be gathered from the works of Prince New Wied, of Spix and Martins, of Tschudi, of Poppig, of Ramon de la Sagra, of Darwin, &c.
The slight differences existing between the faunse of the temperate zone have required a ftiUer illustration than maybe necessary to char- acterize the zoological realms of the tropical regions and the southern hemisphere generally. It is sufficient for our purpose to say here, that these realms are at once distinguished by the prevalence of peculiar types, circumscribed within the natural limits of the three continents, extending in complete isolation towards the southern pole. In this req)ect there is already a striking contrast between the northern and the southern hemisphere. But the more closely we compare them with one another, the greater appear their differences. We have already seen how South America differs from Africa, the East Indies, and Australia, by its closer connection with North America. Not- withstanding, however, the absence in South America of those sightly animals so prominent in Africa and tropical Asia, its gen- eral character is, like that of all the tropical continents, to nourish a variety of types which have no close relations to those of other continents. Its monkeys and edentata belong to genera which have no representatives in the Old World ; among pachyderms it has pecaris, which are entirely wanting elsewhere ; and though the tapirs occur also in the Sunda Mauds, that type is wanting in Africa, where in compensation we find the hippopotamus, not found in either Asia or America. We have already seen tliat the marsupials of South Ame- rica differ entirely from those of Australia. Its ostriches differ also generically from iiose of Africa, tropical A^ia, New Holland, &c. If we compare ftirther the southern continents of the Old World
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With one another, we find a certain nniformity between the animals of Africa and tropical Asia. They have both elephants and rhinoce- roses, though each has its peculiar species of these genera, which occur neither in America nor in Australia ; whilst cercopitheci and antilopes prevail in Africa, and long-armed monkeys and stags in tropical Asia. Moreover, the black orangs are peculiar to Africa, and the red orangs to Asia. As to Australia, it has neither monkeys nor pachyderms, nor edentata, but only marsupials and monotremes. "We need therefore not carry these comparisons ftirther, to be satisfied that Africa, tropical Asia, and Australia constitute independent zoological realms.
The continent of Africa south of the Atlas has a veiy uniform zoological character. This realm may however be subdivided, accord- ing to its local peculiarities, into a number of distinct faunae. In its more northern parts we distinguish the fauna of the Sahara, and those of Nubia and Abyssinia ; the latter of which extends over the Red Sea into the tropical parts of Arabia. These faunae have been par- ticularly studied by Eiippell and Ehrenberg, in whose works more may be found respecting the zoology of these re^ons. They are inhabited by two distinct races of men, the Nubians and Abys- sinians, receding greatly in their features from the woolly-haired Negroes with flat broad noses, which cover the more central parts of the continent. But even here we may distinguish the fauna of Senegal from that of Guinea and that of the African Table-land. In the first, we notice particularly the chimpanzee ; in the second, the gorilla. There is no anthropoid monkey in the third. The fifth column in our Tableau gives figures of the most prominent animals of the genuine "West African type. A ftiller illustration of this subject might show, how peculiar tribes of Negroes cover the limits of the different faunce of tropical Africa, and establish in this respect a paral- lelism between the nations of this continent and those of Europe. We are chiefly indebted to French naturalists for a better knowledge of the Natural History of this part of the world. In the sixth column of our Tableau we have represented the animals of the Cape-lands, in order to show how the African fauna is modified upon the southern extremity of this continent, which is inhabited by a distinct race of men, the Hottentots. The zoology of South Africa may be studied in the works of Lichtenstein and Andrew Smith.
The East Indian realm is now veiy well known zoologically, thanks to the efforts of English and Dutch naturalists, and may be subdivided into thrfee faunae, that of Dukhun, that of the Indo-Chinese peninsula, and that of the Sunda Islands, Borneo, and the Philippines. Its . characteristic animals, represented in the seventh column of our
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Ixxii PROVINCES OF THE ANIMAL WORLD
Tableau, may be readily contrasted with those of Africa. There is, however, one feature in this realm, which requires particular atten- tion, and has a high importance with reference to the study of the races of men. We find here upon Borneo (an island not so extensive as Spain) one of the best known of those anthropoid monkeys, the orang-outan, and with him as well as upon the adjacent islands of Java and Sumatra, and along the coasts of the two East Indian penin- sula, not less than ten other different species of Hylobates, the long- armed monkeys; a genus which, next to the orang and chimpanzee, ranks nearest to man. One of these species is circumscribed within the Island of Java, two along the coast of Coromandel, three upon that of Malacca, and four upon Borneo. Also,, eleven of the highest organized beings which have performed their part in the plan of the Creation within tracts of land inferior in extent to the range of any of the historical nations of men ! In accordance with this fact, we find three distinct races within the boundaries of the East Indian realm : the Telingan race in anterior India, the Malays in posterior India and upon the islands, upon which the Negrillos occur with them.
^Such combinations justify fiilly a comparison of the geographical range covered by distinct European nations with the narrow limits occupied upon earth by the orangs, the chimpanzees, and the gorillas ; and though I still hesitate to assign to each an independent ori^n
, (perhaps rather fi-om the diflBiculty of divesting myself of the opinions universally received, than from any intrinsic evidence), I must, in presence of these facts, insist at least upon the probability of such an
\ independence of origin of all nations ; or, at least, of the independent origin of a primitive stock for each, with which at some future period
, migrating or conquering tribes have more or less completely amal- gamated, as in the case of mixed nationalities. The evidence adduced from the aflS.nities of the languages of different nations in fevor of a community of origin is of no value, when we know, that, among vociferous animals, every species has its peculiar intonations, and that the different species of the same family produce sound as closely allied, and forming as natural combinations, as the so-called Indo- Germanic languages .compared with one another. Nobody, for instance, would suppose that because the notes of the different species of thrushes, inhabiting different parts of the world, bear the closest
' affinity to one another, those birds must all have a common origin ; and yet, with reference to man, philologists still look upon the affini- ties of languages as affording direct evidence of such a community of origin, among the races, even though they have already discovered the most essential differences in the very structure of these languages. ^ Ever since New Holland was discovered, it has been known
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as the land of zoological marvels. All its animals differ so completely from those of other parts of our globe, that it may be said to consti- tute a world in itself, as isolated in that respect from the other conti- nents, as it truly is in its physical relations. As a zoological realm, it extends to New Guinea and some adjacent islands. New Holland, however, constitutes a distinct fauna, which at some future time may be still ftirther subdivided, differing fit)m that of the islands north of it. The characteristic animals of this insular continent are repre- sented in the eighth column of our Tableau. They all belong to two &milies only, considering the class of mammalia alone, the marsu- pials, and the monotremes. Besides these are found bats, and mice, and a wild dog ; but there are neither true edentata, nor ruminants, nor pachyderms, nor monkeys, in this realm, which is inhabited by two races of men, the Australian in Ncfw Holland, and the Papuans upon the Islands. The isolation of the zoological types of Australia,'^ inhabiting as they do a continent partaking of nearly all the physical features of the other parts of the world, is one of the most striking evidences that the presence of animals upon earth is not determined by physical conditions, but established by the direct agency of a Creator. ^ ^
Of Polynesia, its races and animals, it would be difficult to give an idea in such a condensed picture as this. I pass them, therefore, entirely unnoticed. The mountain fauna have also been omitted in our Map from want of space.
Before closing these remarks I should add, that one of the greatest • .difficulties naturalists have met with, in the study of the human races, has been the want of a standard of comparison by which to estimate the value and importance of the diversities observed between the different nations of the world. But (since it is idle to make assertions upon the character of these differences without a distinct understand- ing respecting the meaning of the words constantly used in reference* to the subject), it may be proper to ask here. What is a species, what // a variety, and what is meant by the unity or the diversity of the races ?
In arder not to enter upon debateable ground in answering the first of these questions, let us begin by considering it with reference to the animal kingdom ; and, without alluding to any controverted point,, limit ourselves to animals well known among us. "We would thus remember that, with universal consent, the horse and ass are con- sidered as two distinct species of the same genus, to which belong several other distinct species known to naturalists under the namea of zebra, quagga, dauw, &c. The buffalo and the bull are also distinct species of another genus, embracing several other foreign species. The black bear, the white bear, the grizzly bear, give another example
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Ixxiv PROVINCES OP THE ANIMAL WORLD
of three different species of the same genus, &c. &c. "We might select many other examples- among our common quadrupeds, or among birds, reptiles, fishes, &c., but these will be sufficient for our purpose. In the genus horse we have two domesticated species, the common horse and the donkey ; in the genus bull, one domesticated species and the wild buffalo ; the three species of bear mentioned arc only found in the wild state. The ground upon which these animals are considered as distinct species is simply the fact, that, since they have been known to man, they have always preserved the same cha- racteristics. To make specific difference or identity depend upon genetic succession, is begging the principle and taking for granted ^^at in reality is under discussion. It is true that animals of the same species are fertile among themselves, and that their fecundity
, is an easy test of this natural relation ; but this character is not ex- clusive, since we know that the horse and the ass, the buffalo and our cattle, like many other animals, may be crossed ; we are, there-
j fore, not justified, in doubtful cases, in considering the fertility of
I two animals as decisive of their specific identity. Moreover, gene- ration is not the only way in which certain animals may multiply, as there are entire classes in which the larger number of indivi- duals do not originate from eggs. Any definition of species in which the question of generation is introduced is, therefore, objec- tionable. The assumption, that the fertility of cross-breeds is neces- sarily limited to one or two generations, does not alter the case; since, in many instances. It is not proved beyond dispute. It is, , 'however, beyond all qtiestton that individuals of distinct species may,
J in certain cases, be productive with one another, as well as with
their own kind. It is equally certain that their offspring is a
t half-breed ; that is to say, a being partaking of the peculiarities of
the two parents, and not identical with either. The only definition
*of species meeting all these difficulties is that of Dr. Morton, who
"^characterizes them as primordial orgdnic forrm. Species are thus distinct forms of organic life, the origin of which is lost in the primitive establishment of the state of tilings now existing, and varieties are such modifications of the species as may return to the typical form, under temporary influences. Accepting this definition with the qualifications just mentioned respecting hybridity, I am prepared to show that the differences existing between the races of men are of the same kind as the differences observed between tho
^different families, genera, and species of monkeys or other animals; and that these different species of animals differ in the same degree one from the other as the races of men — nay, the differences between distinct races are often greater than those distinguishing species of
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AND THEIE RELATION TO TYPES OP MAN. IxXV
animals one from the other. The chimpanzee and gorilla do not differ more one from the other than the Mandingo and the Guinea Negro : they together do not differ more from the orang than the Malay or white man differs from the Negro. In proof of this assertion, I need only refer the reader to the description of the anthropoid monkeys published by Prof. Owen and by Dr. J. Wyman, and to such descriptions of the races of men as notice more important peculiarities than the mere differences in the color of the skin. It is, however, but fidr to exonerate these authors fix)m the responsibility of any deduction I would draw fi*om a renewed examination of the same &cts, differing fi*om theirs; for I maintain distinctly that Qie ' differences observed among the races of men are of the same kind : and even greater than those upon which the anthropoid monkeys are considered as distinct species.
Again, nobody can deny that the offipring of different races is always a half-breed, as between animals of different species, and not a diild like either its mother or its ^ther. These conclusions in no way conflict with the idea of the unity of mankind, which is as close as that of the members of any well-marked type of animals; and whosoever will consult history must remain satisfied, - that the moral question of brotherhood among men is not any more affected by these views than the direct obligations between immediate blood relations. Unity is determinal by a typical structure, and by the similarity of natural abilities and propensities ; and, unless we deny the typical relations of the cat tribe, for instance, we must admit that unity is not only compatible with diversity of origin, but that it is '^ the universal law of nature. "^
This coincidence, between the circumscription of the races of man ^ and the natural limits of different zoological provinces characterized by peculiar distinct species of animals, is one of the most important and unexpected features in the Natural Sstory of Mankind, which the study of the geographical distribution of all the organized beings, now existing upon earth, has disclosed to us. It is a fact which can- not fail to throw light, at some future time, upon the veiy origin of the differences existing among men, since it shows that man's physical nature is modified by the same laws as that of animals, and that any general results obtained from the animal kingdom regarding the organic differences of its various types must also apply toman. Now, there are only two alternatives before us at present : — Ist. Either mankind originated fi*om a common stock, and all the* different races with their peculiarities, in their present distribution, are to be ascribed to subsequent changes — *
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Ixxvi PROVINCES OP THE ANIMAL WORLD, ETC.
an assumption for which there is no evidence whatever, and which leads at once to the admission that the diver- sity amoi^ animals is not an original one, nor their dis- tribution determined by a general plan, established in the beginning of the Creation; — or, 2d. "We must acknowledge that the diversity among animals ^ is a fact determined by the will of the Creator, and their geographical distribution part of the general plan which unites all organized beings into one great organic con- ception : whence it follows that what are called human races, down to their specialization as nations, are distinct primordial forms of the type of man. The consequences of the first alternative, which is contrary to all the modern results of science, run inevitably into the Lamarkian development theory, so well known in this country through the work entitled "Vestiges of Creation;" though its premises are gen- erally adopted by those who would shrink from the conclusions to which they necessarily lead.
Whatever be the meaning of the coincidence alluded to above, it must in future remain an important element in ethnographical studies ; and no theory of the distribution of the raqes of man, and of their migrations, can be satisfactory hereafter, which does not account for that feet
We may, however, draw already an important inference from this investigation, which cannot fail to have its influence upon the ferther study of the human races: namely, that the laws which regulate the diversity of animals, and their distribution upon earth, apply equally to man, within the same limits and in the same degree; and that all our liberty and moral responsibility, however spon- taneous, are yet instinctively directed by the All-wise and Omni- potent, to fulfil the great harmonies established in Nature.
L. A.
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Digitized by VjOOQ IC
§
Digitized by
Gc^J
EXPLANATIONS
or nn TABLEAU ACCOMPANYING PROP. AGASSIZ'S SKETCH.
I.-ARCTIC REALM. LHead— .^fctnunuB. [Fbauxun:
2d £cp. FtiLSea; 1838; Lpl. 13.] 2. SkuU — Afcimotix. [MoBfOH :
Cr. Amer. ; p. 70. No. 1.] 8. White Bear (Urnti narUimut).
[Cirvm: Bigne Anim.; Atlu,
Mamm., pL 30, flg. 8.] 4. Walrus (Tricheaa Boimarut),
[Cijtixe: op. dL; pi. 45, llg. 1.] b. Beindeer ( OarvuM Tcarandus).
[Cutizb: op. cU.; pL 87, flg. 2.] 0. Harp Seal {Phooa granlandiea).
[Shaw: ZooL; Mamm., L pi. 71.]
7. RightWhaleCAitena JfyxMoeiiM).
[CunxE : op, cU. ; pL 100, fig. 1.]
8. Eider Dock {AnoM mdOiwna).
[AuDCBOir : Birdi; 1843; tL pi. 406, flg. 1.] 9l Beindeer^non (jOenomyot ranffi- ferina). [LouMif : £^l%m<i; p. 009, No. 15,630.]
II.-M0N601 REALM. K). Head — C^tiuae. [Ham. Smith:
NaL Hi$L Human Speda; 1848;
pLlO, "Mongol."] IL Skull — C^^new. [Cutzib: op.
eat.; pi. 8, ilg. UL] 12. Bear {Vrtu8 tkOxtanm). [Schbs-
bsb: SUuffthiere : til pi. 141 im]. IS. Musk-deer (Motchut mo$dU/enu),
[CunxR: op. cit.; pL 86.] 14.Antf]ope (AnOope ffuUurrm).
[ScnnxE : op.cU.; pL 275.]
15. Goat (Cizpra tiberica). [Scbsb-
bkk: op.dL; pL281.]
16. Sheep (Ocic AtyaH). [Cutbb:
Jbonoffraphu; I pL44hi8,flg.l.]
17. Yak {Bos gnrnnxeHi). [Va«t:
Ox Tribe; 1851; p. 45.]
IM.-EUROPEAN REALM.
18. Head— CuTiKft'8 portrait [Bigne Anim.; Atlaa, Mamm.; ««Me- dalion.*^
19. Skull — Aropeon. [CiTTXBi:op.
cU.; pL 8, flg. 1.] SO. Bear (27rna ^rctof). [flGBBBOE:
op. eU. ; pi. 189.] ii. Btag {Ctrvui Ecipkut). [Scmo-
bxb: ep.cit.; pi. 247 a.] 22.Autllope (AntOcpe RupteapnC).
[ScuEKBOt: op. eit; pL 279.]
23. Goat (ChprQ, Ibex). [ScmtiBnu
op.ciL; pi. 2810.]
24. Sheep (One JAtftmon). Sohu-
bkb: qp.ei:t.;pL288A.]
25. Aueroehs (Bm Urut). [Yabkt:
op. oft.; p. 40.]
IV.-AMERiCAN REALM.
26. Head — ifu2umC9U</: {>lAZ.Pm.
M Wixd: Tracdi; pi. 8.]
27. SkuU — JIbttmi in Tameisee,^
[Mobiom: Cr. Amer.; pi. 55.]
28. B9i{Ur$u$(aMricanMu). [Sohu-
bkr: op.dL; pi. 141 b.] 29.Stag(arv. oify^nuznttf). [Schkx-
bxr: op.ctt.* pl.246H.l 30. Antilope (Jnt/urc^/lhi). [U.S.
FtU, Off. Bep. 1852 ; pt IL pi. 1.]
81. Goat (Cbpra amaioaxya^, [U. S.
Bat. Off.; pi. 6.]
82. Sheep (Ovit fnoniana). [U. S,
FU, Off.; pL 5.] . 33. Bison (Bos amerioama), [U. S. iW.0#.;pL7.]
V.-AFRICAN REA4M. ZLUead — Mosambijue Negro.—
OouKTST n L'JsLi: TMeau Bth-
nog. du Qexre Humain ; 1849;
pU5.] 85. Skull— Ct^eob Negro. [Latham :
Varittia qf Man; p. 6.] 36. Chimpanzee (Troglodyle* niger).
[CuTDOi : Bignt An,; pL iL flg. 1.]
87. Elephant (EUphat mfrioanm).
Cuthh : Bigne onun. ; i. p.]
88. Bhinoeeros (B. bioonrit). [Smith :
South Africa; pL 2.]
89. Hippopotamus {H. amphHriui).
[Smith: South A/Hm; pi. 6.]
40. Wart -Hog (PhaaxAcaiu jEli-
ani). [Schubir: op. ciL; pi. 826 a.]
41. Giraffe (QmehopardaUt (H-
raffi). fCumm: loonographie : I pi. 43.]
VI.-HOTTEMTOT PAUNA.
42. Head— AM^moM. [Ham. Smith:
iVat.fiti<.;pl.l3.] 43. SkuU— AoAoum. [Ham. Smith: op.c«.; pi. 2.]
44. Uyen%Qenet(Pratdei LaUtmUi).
[mm. du Muthm; xi. p. 354.]
45. Quagga (.ETuta Quo^) [Sobu-
bib: op.cU.; pL317.]
46 Bhinooeros {B. Simu$). [Smith. South Africa; pi. 19.]
47. Cape Hyraz (Hjfrax capentu).
[Sohbxbkb: op. dt. ; pL 240.]
48. Anteater(Orycferqpitt oopeiutf.^
[Nouv. JHcL <FHi$L NaturtHU; xxir. p. 182.] 40. Cape Ox (Bos eaffkr). [Yaset . Ox Tribe; p. 86.]
VII.-MALAYAN REALM.
50. Head— Jfa lay. [Wabd : iVaf.
£M. </ifoiaMid; 1S40; p. 54.]
51. Skull — Jfalay. [DcMOimxB:
AOas AnthrppoL; pi. 87, flg. 5.)
52. Orang-utan (Pithecus Satfrus),
[Tbmmihck: Monographic; iL pL41.]
53. Elephant (Elephas indicus).—
[Schbebkb : op. od. ; pi. 817 oo J ,
54. Bhinooeros (B. sondaicus). [Hobs-
nxLD: ZooL Besearches; 1824.]
55. Tapir (Ihpirus wudayamu).^
[HoBsnxLD: op.eil.]
56. Stag (Cervus JTw^fac). HoBS- miD: op.eit.}
57. Ox (Bos Amu). [Yasbt: Ox '■ Tribe; p. lU.]
Vlli.-AUSTRAL^AN REALM.
58. Head— jlt/burottx. [CunxBrqp. dL; pl.8, flg. 1.]
59. Skull— J(/bwrot. [Ham. Smith:
Nat. Hid.; pi. 2.]
60. Spotted Opossum (i>aiyurtaF»v.).
[ScHBJEBXB : op. dt.; pi. 152 b.]
61. Ant-eater (Jfymwoo&iiM fas-
datus). [Trans. ZooUgioaiSoc; iL p. 154.]
62. Babbit (JPiaramaes Lagotis).—
[Watbbhousb: Marsupials; L
pL18.] 68. VhsAtaigent(Fhakmgistavu^ina),
[Watbbhousb: op. dt.; L pL 8.J 64. Wombat (Fhasociarctos dnereus).
[Schbebxb: op. dL; pL 155 a.] 66. Squihvl (Pdaunu sdureus).^
[Watbbhousb: op. et^ ; L p. 88.]
66. Kangaroo (Macropus gigaadf
ui). [Watibhousb: op. ciL; L p. 62.]
67. Duck-bill (OmJftorAyncftitfjMra-
dofKuii. [Watbbhousb: ep^di ; Lp.26.1
Note. — Adhering as elosely as possible to the written instructions of ProC AoASsn, the annexed Tableau was drawn and tinted, under my own eye, in the Library of the Academy of the Natural Sciences at Philadel phia. Erery effort at correctness has been made ; although, owing to unaroidable reduction to so small a scale. the edoring especially can be but suggestire.
To Prod Joseph Lbtot, Dr. Wm. S. Zabtxwobb, and Major Johh Lb Oostb, who ftoost obligingly gare me tnn adrantage of their aid and eonnsel in selecting the originals of these flgures, must be ascribed the merit of CBRying Prot Agassis's oonoeptlon into detailed elbct. (January, 1854.) ,
G. B. G., Cbrr. Mm, Acad, NaL8dmM\<^ ^" (IxxtU) ^
EXPLANATIONS
or tn
MAP AOOOMPANTINa PBOF. AOASSIZ'S SKETCH.
I.-ARCT1C REALM-inlwUtodliy tfTPSBBOBiEANB; wdoontainiiig:-. AAA^aa Ji|gxr6orea»flwm«.
I.-A8IATIC RE ALM-iBbiMtidliy MONGOLS; wdrabdlTldediiito:-
B— ft CMReM ft.iiiu, in the iTMBMr put.
F— ft Oaapian (w«ttem) ikimft.
'" -EUROPEAN REAlM-inluUtedliy WHITS.HBN; and dirktod into :^
O — ft iSboMKnaviaii &mta. H — ft Bu9iian fannft. I — ft Cfenfrtrf-Jkrqpeaw &mift. J~a iSbiiflb-Airqpean fkonft. K — ft Nmih'Jfrican ftona. L •;- an i^[73i!p(um flrauuL H — ft iS^frian and an /rcDiiaii £muuu
IV.-tAMERICAN REAlM-iBbaUtadliy AMBBIOAN INDIANS. NOBIH Ajuiioa— diTided into: —
N -- ft OBmadian ftwma.
0— an Mkghmian fkona, or fknna of tha Middla Stataa.
P— a Xoiiitidiiitm fknna, or ft,nna of Uia Sonthern Stataa
Q— a TabMand flinna, or ft.nnft of tha Boekj Mffimtihit.
B — ft iVbr0ktoMi>€lMu( iknna.
8 — ft CU^AmAm Iknna. CnauL Amboca — inbdlTidad into : —
T — a Jf<»tfi4afid &nna.
U ~ an jintOIet fknna. South Ajuuga — dirlded into : —
T — a BrarOJan fknna. ~a Amjxu ftnna.
X — ft (hrdmenu fkunft.
T — ft Jb-NvAm ftnna. ^
V.-AFRICAN REAlM-InbaUtad 1)7 NUBIANS, ABTSSINIANS, VOOLAHS, NB.
OBOBS, HOTTINTOTS, BOSJISMANB) ' and diTkled into: — aa^% Saharan Ikuna. hb — m Nubian fknna.
oe — an AbsfititiioH fknna (extending to Axablft). dd — m SeneffdUan tkanA. [ee— a G^i«R«an Jknna. ff— an Jfrio-TabMand fknna. gg—% Oap&^if-Good-Hope fkon*. hh — a Mttdaffatcar (diTcrging) fkaam.
VI.-EA8T-INDIAN (or MALAYAN) REALM-inhaUted hj TBLINGANS, MALAYS,
NEOBILLOS; and dirided into:— ti — a i>Milfttm fknna. jj — an itdo'Chmete &nna. X:fe — a Sundorldandie &nna(inolnding Borneo and the Fhillppinea).
VII.-AUSTRALIAN REAlM-inlMUted l7 PAPUANS, AUSTBALIANS; and diyided
into:— S — a Papuan fknna. mM — a New-HoBand fknna.
VIII.-P0LYNE8IAN REAlM-inhaUtedby SOUTH-SBA ISLANDBBS; and containing : — ' fm, nn- Alyn««ia»fknn».
N B. It haa not been in my power to ftliow Pio£ Agaaaii'a initmottona in regard to the ooioring of tUa ikap. the aoale adopted being too small. —O.B.O. T^
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I
t
TYPES OF MANKIND.
INTRODUCTION.
Mr. Luke Bubeb, the bold and able Editor of the London JEthno- logiealJoumaly defines Ethnology to be " a science which investigates the mental and physical differences of Mankind, and the organic laws upon which they depend; and which seeJsB to deduce from these investigations, principles of human guidance, in all the important relations of social existence." * To the same author are we indebted not only for the most extensive and lucid definition of this term, but for the first truly philosophic view of a new and important science that we have met with in the English language.
The term "Ethnology" has generally been used as synonymous with "Ethnography," understood as the Natural History of Man ; but by Burke it is made to take a fii.r more comprehensive grasp — to include the whole mental and physical history of the various Types of Mankind, as well as their social relations and adaptations ; and, under this comprehensive aspect, it therefore interests equally the philanthropist, the naturalist, and the statesman. Ethnology demands to know what was the primitive organic structure of each race ? — what such race's moi:al and psychical character? — ^how far a race may have been, or may become, modified by the combined action of time and moral and physical causes? — and what position in the social J y/ scale Providence has assigned to .each type of man ? ^ ^
** Ethnology diyides itself into two principal departments, the Sdmtifie and the Hiatonc Under the former is comprised erery thing connected with the Natural History of Man and the fundamental laws of liring organisms ; under the latter, e^Tery fact in civil history which has any important bearing, directly or indirectly, upon the question of races — every fact calculated to throw light upon the number, the moral and physical peculiarities, the early seats, migrations, conquests or interblendings, of the primary divisions of the humac family, or of the leading niixed races which have sprung from their intermarriages.'''
Y Digitized by ^(^W-^ —
\
50 INTRODUCTION.
Such is the scope of this science — born, we may say, within our own generation — and we propose to examine mankind under the above two-fold aspect, while we point out some of the more salient results towards which modem investigation is tending. The press everywhere teems with new books on the various partitions of the wide field of Ethnology; yet there does not exist, in any language, an attempt, based on the highest scientific lights of the day, at a systematLj treatise on Ethnology in its extended sense. Morton was the first to conceive the proper plan ; but, unfortunately, Uved not to carry it out ; and although the present volume falls very far below the just requirements of science, we feel assured that it wiU at least aid materially in suggesting the right direction to fixture investigators.
The grand problem, more particularly interesting to all readers, is that which involves the common origin of races ; for upoi;i the latter deduction hang not only certain reli^ous dogmas, but the more practical question of the equality and perfectibility of races — we say "more practical question,'* because, while Almighty Power, on the one hand, is not responsible to Man for the distinct origin of human races, these, on the other,, are accountable to Him for the manner in which their delegated power is used towards each other.
Whether an original diversity of races be admitted or not, the permanence of existing physical types will not be questioned by any Archaeologist or Naturalist of the present day. Nor, by such com- petent arbitrators, can the consequent permanence of moral and intellectual peculiarities of types be denied. The intellectual man is inseparable fix)m the physical man; and the nature of the one cannot be altered without a corresponding change in the other.
The truth of these propositions had long b%en familiar to the master-mind of John C. Calhoun; who regarded them to be of such paramount importance as to demand the fullest consideration fi-om those who, like our lamented statesman in his day, wield the destinies of nations and of races. An anecdote will illustrate the pains-taking laboriousness of Mr. Calhoun to let no occasion slip whence informa- tion was attainable. Our colleague, G. R. Gliddon, happened to be in "Washington City,