History of the Conquest of Mexico; vol. 1/4Prescott, William Hickling
History
History of the Conquest of Mexico; vol. 1/4
Prescott, William Hickling
Cortés, Hernán, 1485-1547; Mexico -- History -- Conquest, 1519-1540
The conclusions suggested by the intellectual and moral analogies with
Eastern Asia derive considerable support from those of a _physical
nature_. The aborigines of the Western World were distinguished by
certain peculiarities of organization, which have led physiologists to
regard them as a separate race. These peculiarities are shown in their
reddish complexion, approaching a cinnamon color; their straight, black,
and exceedingly glossy hair; their beard thin, and usually
eradicated;[418] their high cheek-bones, eyes obliquely directed towards
the temples, prominent noses, and narrow foreheads falling backwards
with a greater inclination than those of any other race except the
African.[419] From this general standard, however, there are deviations,
in the same manner, if not to the same extent, as in other quarters of
the globe, though these deviations do not seem to be influenced by the
same laws of local position.[420] Anatomists, also, have discerned in
crania disinterred from the mounds, and in those of the inhabitants of
the high plains of the Cordilleras, an obvious difference from those of
the more barbarous tribes. This is seen especially in the ampler
forehead, intimating a decided intellectual superiority.[421] These
characteristics are found to bear a close resemblance to those of the
Mongolian family, and especially to the people of Eastern Tartary;[422]
so that, notwithstanding certain differences recognized by
physiologists, the skulls of the two races could not be readily
distinguished from one another by a common observer. No inference can be
surely drawn, however, without a wide range of comparison. That hitherto
made has been chiefly founded on specimens from the barbarous
tribes.[423] Perhaps a closer comparison with the more civilized may
supply still stronger evidences of affinity.[424]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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