The History of Creation, Vol. 2 (of 2): Or the Development of the Earth and its Inhabitants by the Action of Natural CausesHaeckel, Ernst
Science
The History of Creation, Vol. 2 (of 2): Or the Development of the Earth and its Inhabitants by the Action of Natural Causes
Haeckel, Ernst
Evolution; Heredity; Human beings -- Origin
The _Nubian_ (Homo Nuba) has caused ethnographers no fewer difficulties
than the Dravida species. By this name we understand not merely the real
Nubians (Schangallas, or Dongolese), but also their near kinsmen, the
Fulas, or Fellatas. The real Nubians inhabit the countries of the Upper
Nile (Dongola, Schangalla, Barabra, Cordofan); the Fulas, or Fellatas,
on the other hand, have thence migrated far westward, and now inhabit a
broad tract in the south of the western Sahara, hemmed in between the
Soudanians in the north and the Nigritos in the south. The Nubian and
Fula races are generally either classed with negroes or with the Hamitic
races (thus with Mediterranese), but are so essentially different from
both that they must be regarded as a distinct species. In former times
they very probably occupied a large part of north-eastern Africa. The
skin of the Nubian and Fula races is of a yellowish or reddish brown
colour, more rarely dark brown or approaching to black. Their hair is
not woolly but curled, frequently even quite smooth; its colour is dark
brown or black. Their beard is much more strongly developed than in
negroes. The oval formation of their faces approaches more to the
Mediterranean than to the Negro type. Their forehead is high and broad,
their nose prominent and not flat, their lips not so protruding as in
the negro. The language of the Nubian races seems to possess no
relationship to those of genuine negroes.
The _Caucasian_, or _Mediterranean man_ (Homo Mediterraneus), has from
time immemorial been placed at the head of all races of men, as the most
highly developed and perfect. It is generally called the Caucasian race,
but as among all the varieties of the species, the Caucasian branch is
the least important, we prefer the much more suitable appellation
proposed by Friedrich Müller, namely, that of Mediterranean, or Midland
men. For the most important varieties of this species, which are
moreover the most eminent actors in what is called “Universal History,”
first rose to a flourishing condition on the shores of the
Mediterranean. The former area of the distribution of this species is
expressed by the name of “Indo-Atlantic” species, whereas at present it
is spread over the whole earth, and is overcoming most of the other
species in the struggle for existence. In bodily as well as in mental
qualities, no other human species can equal the Mediterranean. This
species alone (with the exception of the Mongolian) has had an actual
history; it alone has attained to that degree of civilization which
seems to raise man above the rest of nature.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account