The first man and his place in creation : considered on the principles of science and common sense from a Christian point of view : with an appendix on the Negro / by George Moore.

Date:
1866
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The first man and his place in creation : considered on the principles of science and common sense from a Christian point of view : with an appendix on the Negro / by George Moore. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    makes the folloAving statement: ' That the red .races change into black, when they descend into the lowlands, cannot be easily disputed. I was told by the Senegal residents that some yeai-s ago it was rarely that one saw a black Fula or Puelh. It is now impossible to find a red one without travelling into the interior [highlands]. With the Mandingos it is much the same. These two tribes driving out the negroes, the result is they are becoming negroes themselves.' So, then, it does not require many ages to convert a red man, like an Egyptian, into a black man, with all the characteristics of the negro. Livingstone confirms this statement, thus: ' As we go westward, we observe the light colour predominating over the dark ; and then, again, when we come within the influence of damp from the sea air, we see the shade deepen into the general blackness of the coast population.'* Dr. Daniel says that between the Gaboon and Cape Lopez, the degraded bush tribes become typical negroes, and also on the banks of the Mimi, Bopuka, and Gaboon rivers. ' In higher, healthier localities the same tribes are of lighter complexion, less prognathous development, and greater intelligence of face.' In short, geologic formation in respect to soil, as well as the elevation of the land and its productions, influences the general condition of the human body in Africa, as in other countries; and that the degree of temperature is not the sole cause of variety in complexion is well-known. ' On leaving the low swamps for the sandstone hills, the skin becomes fairer; black becomes brown; and brown yellow.'f The diversities observable among men of the same race in Afi-ica is also seen among the aboriginal Americans. ' In colour of skin they vary considerably, according to elevation and climate, individual constitution, and other causes.'^ Dr. Morton states that they are of ' all tints from a decided white to an unequivocally black skin.' Thus we find that colour of skin depends on influences * Travels in South Africa. f Dr. Daniel, i Archibald Smith, M.D.