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80

It would be difficult, as it is unnecessary, to enter into a very particular description of every part of the human body, or even every feature of the human countenance, and to trace each change of which they are susceptible to their respective causes.  If we are able satisfactorily to account for the principal changes, a reasonable and candid enquirer after truth ought to remain satisfied that all minuter ones are within the power of the same or similar causes, with-out having recourse to the superfluous, and, consequently, unphilosophical doctrine of different original species of men. I shall, therefore, confine my observations, unphilosophical doctrine of different original species of men.  I shall, therefore, confine my observations, principally, to those conspicuous varieties which are seen in the hair,--the figure of the head,--the proportions of different parts of the body,--and in the features of the face.

The colour of the hair generally follows the law of the complexion;* because, its roots, being planted in

[[footnote]]
* There are instances in the southern states of America and in the West-Indies of white children derived from black parents of the darkest African hue.  There are also instances of pied negroes, whose skin is variegated with black and white spots, some from their birth, and others who have changed with it. DR. Bluenbach mentions a [[/end footnote on page 80, continued on next page]]


81

the skin, derived its nourishment, and its colour from the same secretion which there contributes principally to form the tint of that various covering of the body.  Every gradation of shade in the skin is usually accompanied with some correspondent shades in the hair.  The pale red, and sandy complexion, on the other hand, or the sandy spotted with dark orange freckles, is almost always connected with a proportional redness of this excrescence.  Between these two points is found almost every other colour of the hair arising from the mixture, in different proportions, of the principles which constitute the black and red.  White hair, expect that which is occasioned by disease, or age, is commonly united with the palest skin.  White appears to be the ground on which the colouring substances of the red and black are variously stained.  These, which may be re-

[[continued footnote from page 81]]
black man whom he saw in London, [p. 150. § 48.] who after the period of adolescence became pied.  The white colour affecting an agular spot in the fore part of his head, from the crown to the forehead, the hair on that portion of the skin assumed a yellowish colour.

Another example has been mentioned in a note at the 36th page of this essay in a young negro of sandy complexion with red wool.
K

Transcription Notes:
Note, I left dashes in the text where noted in original text to indicate word was continued in next line. ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-05 14:05:00