embrace one half of Asia, by a line drawn north and south, from the eastern limits of Afghanistan; giving nearly all the nations and tribes west of this line to the Caucasians, and all east of it to Mongolians. A geographic division embracing nations and tribes so remarkably dissimilar, that, if it is true, it ́ shows, conclusively, that a science upon which so much talent and industry have been expended is of very little practical value, however much it may amuse the learned. The word Caucasian is also objectionable because it is not emblematical of the white races in the progressive development of the mind, although it may be in regard to complexion and features. The name Mongolian is, on every account, still more objectionable than that of Caucasian. It is the name of a nation of robbers, in eastern Central Asia, who are, for anything we know, a people of yesterday, compared with the Chinese, Japanese, and part of the Hindus. The Chinese, in particular, are the oldest nation upon the earth, having undergone fewer vicissitudes from invasion, or change of manners and customs. Excluding their own histories, which extend back with considerable certainty for two thousand years before our era, we know from the Roman history, that, in the first century of the Christian era, they were precisely the people they are now. That these very populous and ancient nations were originally derived from a nation of pastoral wanderers and robbers of Central Asia, appears to be so highly improbable, that we should rather suppose that China, pressed by popu lation, or the intestine wars which prevailed about

Confucius's time, poured forth the surplus from her own bosom, and that they degenerated by the expulsion, if they were not so before. However this may be, and although the features, and other physical characteristics of the Mongols and Chinese do approximate, yet the manners, habits, customs, and propensities of the two people are so very dissimilar, that we feel some reluctance in designating these peaceable, contented, unambitious, and industrious people, by a name which is synonymous with everything destructive and cruel.

The name of Mongolian is also objectionable by reason of its uncertainty. Writers frequently use it very loosely. Sometimes a latitude is given to it embracing almost all of the Tartars, many of whom are as distinct, in every respect, from the true Mongols, as these are from the Caucasians. "The Tartars," says Malte Brun, "differ as much from the Mongols, in their features, physical constitution and language, as the Moors do from the Negroes. A slender figure, an European visage, though somewhat yellow in complexion, curled hair and long beard, distinguish the Tartar from the squat, shapeless monster, with a flat nose, prominent cheeks, almost beardless chin, and lank hair, who inhabits the deserts of Mongolia. The countries of these two races of men constitute two distincts physical regions. The Mongols, of whom the Calmucks are a branch, occupy all the central plateau of Central Asia, from the Beloor Mountains and lake Palcati to the great wall of China, and to the Siolki Mountains which separate them from the Mantchoos, a tribe of the great race of the Ton

gooses. The Tartars are the possessors of that extensive country which lies between the Beloor Mountains on one side, and the lake Aral, and the Caspian Sea on the other."

Dr. Prichard's proposed nomenclature is more objectionable than either of the others. By dividing the races of men by the color of the hair into Melanic, Xanthous, and Albino, he has, in effect, made but two divisions of the human family; because the Albino is not a variety in a scientific sense. It is an accidental, not a uniform production, similar to mutes, the porcupine family, six-fingered and toed people, &c., who never constitute a race, but disappear in a few generations.

His two chief divisions, Melanic and Xanthous, particularly the first, are objectionable for want of that certainty which names should always possess. At least seven tenths of mankind are black haired; embracing a majority of Europeans, and nearly all of the remainder of the human family. A variety including so large a sweep of nations, differing in everything but the mere color of the hair, is far too indefinite to answer a useful purpose; because it leaves out of view those peculiar distinctive characteristics which give point and value to science, unless many subdivisions should be made, each more important than the primary division, and therefore better entitled to a primary position. His Xanthous division is liable to the same objections, though not to the same degree.

* Other divisions have been made, by other authors of less note than these, which we pass without notice.

From choice, therefore, as well as necessity, we adopt a new nomenclature; from choice, because we do not approve of the names heretofore used; and from necessity, because our views upon the subject are so different from any previously expressed, that we are compelled to seek new appellations, or to modify the old names to suit our views of the subject.

"The peculiar characteristics of man,” says Laurence in his Lectures, p. 117, "appear to me so very strong that I not only deem him a distinct species, but also put him into a separate order by himself. His physical and moral attributes place him at a much greater distance from all orders of mammalia, than those are from each other respectively."

Borrowing his language, we say that the peculiar characteristics of man appear to us so very strong, that we not only deem him a distinct order of animals, but also put him into a separate class by himself. His psychical or spiritual attributes place him at a much greater distance from all classes and orders of instinctive mammalia, than these are from each other respectively.

To arrive at a proper zoological classification of man, it is necessary to divide the class mammalia into two sections. The first section we call Psychical or Spiritual Mammalia; and the second we call Instinctive Mammalia.

This separation of Man from the Animal Kingdom is absolutely necessary; for however near, in appearance, and in spiritual character, the most perfect ape may approach to the lowest and most sen

sual Negro, in the opinion of some persons, yet the peculiar attributes of such a negro remove him wholly beyond the limits of all animals, by a wider gape, than he is, compared with a Newton.

His zoological characters will be as follows, viz. :
FIRST SECTION.-Psychical, or Spiritual Mammal.
Order.-Bimanum, or two-handed.
Genus.-Homo, or Man.

Species Four-Shemitic, Japhethic, Ishmaelitic,
and Canaanitic, each containing several
varieties.

Generic Characters.-Psychical. Erect stature;
two hands; teeth approximated and of
equal length; the inferior incisors perpen-
dicular; prominent chin; endowed with
speech; unarmed;
unarmed; defenceless.

We have already given to our readers some reasons for our classification, and others will be found in our future progress. We are only responsible for the Class and Species, the Order and Genus being taken from others.

We proceed to give the Specific characters.
FIRST.-The Shemitic Species.

Psychical, or Spiritual Character, viz. :

All the Psychical Attributes developed harmoniously.-Warlike, but not cruel, or de

structive.

Temperament.-Strenuous.

Physical Character, viz.:

A high degree of sensibility; fair complexion; copious, soft, flowing hair, often curled, or waving; ample beard; small, oval,