The Descent of Man

use the finest ornaments. Lastly, it is a remarkable
fact, as proved by the foregoing quotations,
that the same fashions in modifying the
shape of the head, in ornamenting the hair, in
painting, tattooing, in perforating the nose, lips,
or ears, in removing or filing the teeth, etc.,
now prevail, and have long prevailed, in the
most distant quarters of the world. It is extremely
improbable that these practices, followed
by so many distinct nations, should be due to
tradition from any common source. They indicate
the close similarity of the mind of man, to
whatever race he may belong, just as do the
almost universal habits of dancing, masquerading,
and making rude pictures.
Having made these preliminary remarks on the
admiration felt by savages for various ornaments,
and for deformities most unsightly in
our eyes, let us see how far the men are attracted
by the appearance of their women, and
what are their ideas of beauty. I have heard it