On the Diversity of Origin of the Human Races [pp. 603-642]

Prof. Agassiz New Hypothesis
which distinguish the human races may be stated in two pro positions; viz. 1. That we find the different races inhabit ing precisely similar climates without the production of
the same physical peculiarities. Those peculiarities cannot
therefore be the result of climate. 2. No change of climate
will restore the different varieties of men to one common prim itive type. The African, for example, does not grow white,
and conform his features or hair to the type of the white race,
when he is brought to the United States.
It cannot be necessary for us to dwell for a moment on so
familiar and elementary a truth, as that varieties when once
established from whatever cause, are rendered permanent by
the law of reproduction, where no mixture of blood occurs;
and no climatic or physical treatment, without this, will restore
them to the same type from which they are known to have
originated. The argument of Prof. A. upon the insufficiency
of climate, food, and mode of life, assumes thoughout, not only
that climate means similarity of temperature and geographical locality, but that climate is claimed to be the sole cause of
the diversities in question. Hence hlie says, "if men originated from a common centre, and spread from that centre
over the world, their present differences must be owing to influences arising out of peculiarities of climate and mode of life.
And if such changes have really taken place, they must correspond to each other in different parts of the world, in proportion as the physical conditions are more or less similar
Compare now the inhabitants of China with those of the corresponding parts of Africa and America; and in regions which
are physically speakiug under most circumstances alike, we
shall find the greatest differences between them. In the
temperate zone we have in the old world, Mongolians and
Caucasians and Indians in America,-races which do not
resemble each other, but yet live under the most similar circumstances." This reasoning we must say looks disingenuous; though we hope it is not. In the first place, it is not
contended that the climate and mode of life alone, produce
the effects in question. The agency mainly relied upon, is the
two fold bearing of the law of reproduction, which is well
known to establish a national type of features and physical
628
[OCTOBIB]it