RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of J. C. Prichard, Researches into the physical history of mankind, 1851, vol. 5, pp. 419-550. CUL-DAR80.B37-B38. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 3.2021. RN1

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volumes CUL-DAR80-86 contain material for Darwin's book Descent of man (1871).


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Prichard Researches into the Physical Hist of mankind. Vol V. p. 419 (Man)

Quotes from Catlin, that amongst the Mandans about 1/10 or 12 have their hair grey, "cheveux gris" & that this is peculiarity - it is always very course & harsh, & differs materially from the hair of other colours with the other Mandans.

It occurs in both sexes from infancy to manhood.

p. 463 quote d'Orbigny (in a work on the races of S. America) that in the Quechua, iealpinePeruvians inhabit plateax from 7500 to 15,000 ft above sea the trunk is very long in proportion to the body - & on post mortem examination the lungs were found of "extraordinary dimensions", as indicative of external form of chest - the cells in the lungs larger & more numerous than in French men - remarks that as in [illeg]  one part. viz hair, the chest) has been enlarged, whilst the limbs have retained their usual dimensions.

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This is good case of exercise developing in part, like udder of cow- whole chest external & internal have increased. Mexican Greyhounds, possibly attained when young.

p 471. d'Orbigny in that heads of the Aymaras which have been compressed, the sutures are obliterated, showing result of pressure.

p 499 d'Orbigny Tom II. p. 298 Voyage ?? states that amongst the Guarani , one tribe is characterised by having a long beard of straight hair, not curled, on upper lip, chin & even sides of cheeks – not result of crossing.

[in margin:] very [illeg]

p. 543 d'Orbigny & Schomburgk have observed that the dryness of the atmosphere seems chief cause of darkness in colour ( [illeg] Galapagos. Patagonia) – (Good)

p. 550 Prichard remarks that changes in a tribe do not so often take place simultaneously in whole tribe, as by springing up of a congenital peculiarity, which in hereditary & which is spread, perhaps afterwards by intermarriage.

over

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good to quote Prichard to show effects of external conditions even in same tribe, affects size, colour, colour & quantity of hair & eyes, & appearance of hairs on particular parts – general form. body & physiognomy. –

Sexual character variable


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Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

File last updated 25 September, 2022