The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-06-07
Home and Foreign News.
No. ~.

dren are ttlr ana delicate, whllst the men are
swarthy We see likewise a difference In the
south and north of Spain and In the empire
of China every variety Of color from fair to
black, according to the latitude which they
inhabit. Whilst people fair of complexion
lind it changed from northern to southern
latitude, the black races are very little affect
ed in changing to a northern.
The proximate cause of the dark color Of
the skin consists, according to Buminbach, in
the secretion of greater quantity of carbon,
and its fixalion with oxygen in the rete maco-
sum. Althoug' negroes are not born black,
yet they change to that color in all latitudes:
No doubt the influence which heat exerts on
the hepatic system has a striking effect in ex-
treme localities to the south. There is no
climate so favorable for the operation of these
causes, rs Ahicl, which surpasses all others
in the continual intensity of its heat, and the
very peculiar effect of its singular winds. Its
Inhabitants long exposed to these agencies for
series Of ages, transmit it unimpaired to
their descendants. | have spoken heretofore,
Of the different colors of animals in different
climates, and there is no necessity Of a repeti-
ton. The temperature of any country can
not be determined merely by its geographical
climate, or distance from the equator, but at
the same time from its physical, and by such
adventi.ious circumstances as low, or high
position, neighborhood of water, &C., &c.
The Abysinians, although nearly under the
equator do not approach in color % negroes,
in consequence Of their very elevated situa-
ton; the barometer, acccd ding to Brun'
standing at 92 inches. The South Sea
islanders are much lighter than we should
expect, arising from coolnoss of iusular situa-
tions. We find no negroes under the line IN
America as in Africa, On the Western side
OF America is one of the most elevated re-
cions on the Globe. The plains of Quito,
which Is the base of the Andes is higher than
the top Of the Pyranees, the SUBMITS Of whose
mountains are in the centre Of the torid zones
being covered with perpetual snow, and the
country uaycrscd with large rivers, abound
ing with vast quantities of stagnant water, and
the largest forests in the world il contains
no sandy wastes like those of Africa. The
temperature of any place in AmoriCais differ
ent thon corresponding parts of the Old CONT
nent Quito which is nearly under the line,
Reaumers thermometer never ascends 28
deg, while at Senegalin. i6 deg of N. latitude
it mounts to SO deg. The latitude of Paris
-
CORE spends to that Of Quebec, London to the
almost uninhabited regions Of Labrador. The
brown and tawney colors are not confined
who'y to warm climates, they are found in
the northern regions of Europe and ASIA
The inhabitants of these regions live on the
| fl. .sh Of the reindeer, and dlied fish, their
bread is made Of pounded fish bones with the
bark Of the pine, or birch tree. They drink
much whale oil and live uAder ground, or in
huts sunk below the surface Of the earth and
during long nights are enveloped in smoke
And again are exposed to an info ospitable cli-
mate. Such mode of life naturally renders
the skin coarse and dark, and the discolora-
ton often increased by painting, and smear
ing the body with grease. We observe fur
ther, the effect of climate is modified by c!o,h-
ing, and manner Of life in general. The
American slave who labors in the field, and
badly rel and clothed, are far inferior to Louise
servants who adopt the manners and customs
Of their masters, even in lool and intelligence.
whilst the former are slow in changing the man
ners and customs of their African ancestors.
Persons who have been captured by the
natives, and those especially in childhood, and
have grown up in the habits of savage life,
contract a strong resemblance to the aborig-
ines, even in countcnlnce and complexion, so
as to afford a striking proof that the diiferen-
ces which exist in the same latitude, between
the Anglo American and the Indian depend
much on the state Of society
1 | will cite an instance which came under
my observation, in that of the white woman
who resided in the Genesoo Valley, who was
captured at The age Of twelve years, from
Connecticut, with whom I t,clme acquainted
: when she was rr advanced in life, and 10
person not acquainted with her history, would
5 lave supposed for moment, but she was q
the original, native Indian stock,
Perhaps the etraI gest circumstance in IL
lusration in the ,r,ct Of climate on the hu-
S man complexion, may be derived from the
S crcoles, v hich is sometimes corfsunded with
that Of mulaltos but is properly applied to
the offspring of European parents born in the
3 East or IVES. Indies. These have peculiar
- compl, xiln aul cuuntenmcc, (aaatam quasi
sDiyGq, iuners a q lor, m7rime quoqRs comae
: ei ordcattta 7aosi ocodorem) Il may almost
: be seen stamped upon the complexion, the
= ardent effects oi heat even In breathing the