The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-07-05

40 VaIi aS europeans Dub HOuS NtIC IOuuu
within the last fifty years over six feet and d
half, OF seven inches, which is often seen in
Europeans at this day. The accounts of
modern travellers prove, that the height of the
Patagonians is not peculiar circumstance
Bartram represents the Muscogulges and
Chcrokees of North America, inhabiting be-
tween 81 deg. and 35 deg. of north latitude,
as taller than Europeans. But modern in
tercourse with them, shows the exaggeralion
which travellers sometimes indulge. The
Caffrees, according 10 Barrow, are tall, robust
and muscular, and distinguished by pecu-
liar frmness Of carriage, some Of them six
feet ten inches in height and elegantly pro-
portioned, that they would not have dsgraced
the pedestal of the famous Hercules. The
accounts Of pigmy race called Quimos or
Kimos, in the interior of Madagascar, ire not
very authentic, as not at all corroberated by
modern travellers. The Laplanders and Nova
Zemblians, in Europe, the Samoids, Ostiacs,
Yacuts, and Zungoose in Asia, and the Green
landers, and Esquimaux of America, all who
inhabit a high northern latitude, are short in
stature, measuring from four to FIVE feet, and
agree remarkably, although inhabiting and
occupying distant countries. This accordance
must be explained by the exposure to tie
same causes living in barren and inhospi-
table climate and exposed to all its rigors,
feeling the same wants, and having the same
means cf gratifying them, we should expect
would produce similarity Of stature, counte-
nance, &c. 1t seems rather doubtful from
late discoveries whether the miserable Pts
cherais, who wander naked over the rocks of
Terra del Fuego, are also dminuive in size.
Barrow informs us that on the cape they sell
dom excel four feet nine inches, the Bushmen
who adjoin the cape still less.
Every one will Immediately perceive, that
the differences of Stature in the human race
are not equal to those occurring in different
breeds Of animals. The pigs taken llom
Europe into the Island of Cuba, have grown
to vice their natural size, and the cattle in
Paraguay have experienced great increase
in this respect.
That climate possesses an Influence, seems
to be proved fom the circumstance of the
LaPlaLders and Hungrians which differ so
widely in stature and formation, having de-
scendcd from 4 common sjusce.
Physiological considerations renderit prob
able lha. food will be eficacious in increasing
or diminishing stature. The Arees or mobiles
Of o aheite and the Scciery Islands exceed
the other nations in stature and personal
beauty; and this is ascribed by Forster and
Others, to their enjoying more copious and
luxurious food. The use Of ardent spirits is
said tc have diminished the size Of the native
American Indians.
That The state Of society and manner Of
life have great iLfucnce on the stature, may
be proved by comparing the present Ger
mans with their ancestors, rs described by
the Roman anti ors. The ancient Germans
lived principally on flesh and milk; were
strangers 10 the use of wine and spurious
liquors. In tine of peace they were employ
cd in the chase, free from those cares which
so often agitate and oppose more civilized
people, and refrained from many animal en-
joyments until late period, seva juoeaa1n
OeRas coque IN erIauSta PuJertas. Hence they
appear to have been of immense size and
strength and undaunted courage, "immanes
animis etcorPprians, is the forcible language
Of Pompomins Mela. Possessing great cour-
age, strength and vigor of bodily form
Couring, after comparing all the accounts Of
those times states their stutue at six feet four
incles, which equals that of the Pategcnians,
and certainly exceeds that of the modern
Germans As the ancient Germans seem to
have exceeded that of the moderns, so if we
credit their philosophic describer, the cattle
were distinguished to the contrary, which is
not the case at the present.
The observations of Barrow which we have
just noticed concerning the Cafrrecs, confirm
the reasonings as to climate and manner of
life in regard to the stature of any people
Their diet is perfectly simple, their exercise
conducive to health, and breathing most
salubrious air all tending to produce most
healthy and robust constitution. Strangers
to the licentious appettes which frequently
proceed from depraved imagination, they
cheerGully receive the bounteous gifts of ma
ture, and when night o'ertakes them, calmly
repose on the balmy sweets of her ebon
sway.
We must remember that intermaniages,
and hereditary dispositions, have great in
auence on the size of the body, which is uu-
deniably proved, as noticed in numerous ex-
amples, of families remarkable for tallness, or