f subdividing the human family into groups, is
likely to be of any particular advantage in elucidating the natural
history of the species, it must be one founded on some relation
between the physical characteristics of different tribes and the
leading circumstances of their external condition.

"We shall clearly perceive, in tracing the following outline of
ethnography, that the varieties of colour refer themselves, in
part, to climates, elevations of land, proximity to the sea-coast,
or distance from it. It can hardly be doubted that these conditions
have likewise an effect on the configuration of the human body. But
there is, perhaps, some truth in the remark, though frequently made
on little better foundation than conjecture, that the prevailing
form or configuration of the body is more liable to be influenced
by the habits of different races, and their manner of living, than
by the simple agencies of climate. It would be an interesting
discovery, could it be shown that there is any apparent connexion
between the display of particular forms, or the leading physical
characters of human races, and their habits of existence. If I may
venture to point out any such relation, it would be by remarking,
in a very general manner, and without pretending to make the
observation as one which holds without many exceptions, that there
are in mankind three principal varieties in the form of the head
and other physical characters, which are most prevalent
respectively in the savage or hunting tribes, in the nomadic or
wandering pastoral races, and in the civilized and intellectually
cultivated divisions of the human family. Among the rudest tribes
of men, hunters and savage inhabitants of forests, dependent for
their supply of food on the accidental produce of the soil or on
the chase, among whom are the most degraded of the African nations
and the Australian savages, a form of the head is prevalent which
is most aptly distinguished by the term _prognathous_, indicating a
prolongation or extension forward of the jaws; and with this
characteristic other traits are connected which will be described
in the following pages. A second shape of the head, very different
from the last mentioned, belongs principally to the nomadic races,
who wander with their herds and fl