The Descent of Man

the most distinct races of man. The American
aborigines, Negroes and Europeans are as different
from each other in mind as any three
races that can be named; yet I was incessantly
struck, whilst living with the Feugians on
board the "Beagle," with the many little traits of
character, shewing how similar their minds
were to ours; and so it was with a full-blooded
negro with whom I happened once to be intimate.
He who will read Mr. Tylor's and Sir J. Lubbock's
interesting works (24. Tylor's 'Early History
of Mankind,' 1865: with respect to gesturelanguage,
see p. 54. Lubbock's 'Prehistoric Times,'
2nd edit. 1869.) can hardly fail to be deeply
impressed with the close similarity between
the men of all races in tastes, dispositions and
habits. This is shewn by the pleasure which
they all take in dancing, rude music, acting,
painting, tattooing, and otherwise decorating
themselves; in their mutual comprehension of