The beard, not so long in general as the hair of the head, is longer than that of every other part of the body. It is very commonly of the colour of the first, though more rarely flaxen and is more frequently of a bright red, which it often is in persons with flaxen hair. The nature of the hairs of the beard is the same as that of the hairs of the genital parts, the eyebrows, &c. They curl, are stiffer, more resisting and uniformly less oily than the hair of the head. The quantity of beard varies remarkably in different men. Those in whom it is abundant and of a deep black are in general strong and vigorous. Observe also that the strongest males in the different species of animals are those, in whom the external production which distinguishes them from the females, is the most conspicuous. We might say that this characteristic production is the index of the strength or weakness of their constitution. A small lion has not a noble mane; great horns belong to a well made stag, and long, twisted ones to a good formed ram. Observe that it is not the same with the other hairs common to the two sexes. Often in a weak man, those of the arms, the thighs, &c. are as evident and even more numerous, than in the most muscular. The habit of cutting the beard as most Europeans do, of preserving it like the Asiatics and of dressing it in different ways like the Chinese, gives a different expression to the face which characterizes the people. A masculine, vigorous physiogomy which expresses strength and energy, cannot be deprived of this external attribute without losing a part of its character. That of the Orientals exhibits an appearance which coincides with the strength of their bodies, and forms a contrast with the effeminacy of their manners. I do not know if, in consulting the history of the different people who allow their beard to grow, and that of nations who cut it, we might not be tempted to believe that muscular force is to a certain extent connected with its existence, and that this force is always diminished a little when we are constantly deprived of it. Every one knows the vigour of the ancients, that of the people with long beards, and that even of certain men who, among us, allow their beards to grow in conformity with the laws of monkish institutions. No doubt many causes may make weakness exist with a beard; but in a general view I think we can admit that there is a certain relation between it and strength. Take from a cock his comb, which is the characteristic of the male, as the beard is that of man, and he will lose strength. I am persuaded that we might take from the lion a part of his power by taking away his mane. We know the result of the experiments of Russel upon the castration of stags; their horns, after this operation have grown in an irregular manner, or have not even grown at all. This external attribute of the male in this species, appears as we know at the period of virility, when the vital forces are increased.