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race,* or were really the original stock from which the present inhabitants are derived? And the same author asserts that a colony of Portuguese, established in Congo, not yet three centuries since have so degenerated in complexion, in the figure of their persons, and their habits of living, as to be no longer distinguishable from the neighbouring tribes of Hottentots, who are among the filthiest, the most deformed and savage of mankind. These examples ought surely to have convinced the learned advocate of this hypothesis how unnecessary it is to the explanation of the different appearances which human nature puts on in the different climates and regions of the globe, having before his view such proofs of the facility with which the constitution of man moulds itself to the impression of each, and assumes the habits of every state of society.    

Before proceeding to treat directly of the causes of the various degrees of dark complexion observable in the different tribes of the human species, it will not be improper to propose two or three preliminary remarks of the structure of the skin, the seat of colour. This fine integument, although extremely

*Lord Kaims in his sketches of the history of man.


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delicate, and susceptible of the lightest impressions from many cuases both external and internal, is, however, in its organic texture, among the least mutable parts of the human body. Hence any colour introduced into its substance is not easily eradicated. Figures stained in it with paints inserted by punctures become indelible. For the same reason, freckles, though consisting only of partial stains impressed on the surface of a fair skin by a slight exposure to the sun and air, cannot be removed but with great difficulty ;* and in person of a certain ruddiness of complexion, such as is found commonly united with hair of a dark red, or deep orange colour, can never be entirely effaced.†

* White may be regarded as the colourless state of skin, and all the shades of the dark colours as different stains inserted into its substance

† It has been remarked, and not without reason, that a dark colour of the skin may be considered as a universal freckle. And, certainly if the same kind of secretion mingling with the perspirable matter issuing from the pores of the skin, which fixed by the action of the sun or air, on certain points in freckles, should be equably diffused over the whole surface of the body, or throughout the whole substance of the skin, and we can discern no reason why it may not, every point would consequently be stained with the same colour. 

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