The Descent of Man

can aborigines than in Europeans; and this
probably indicates a corresponding difference
in the dimensions of the organs themselves.
Blumenbach has also remarked on the large
size of the nasal cavities in the skulls of the
American aborigines, and connects this fact
with their remarkably acute power of smell.
The Mongolians of the plains of northern Asia,
according to Pallas, have wonderfully perfect
senses; and Prichard believes that the great
breadth of their skulls across the zygomas follows
from their highly-developed sense organs.
(32. Prichard, 'Physical History of Mankind,' on
the authority of Blumenbach, vol. i. 1851, p.
311; for the statement by Pallas, vol. iv. 1844, p.
407.)
The Quechua Indians inhabit the lofty plateaux
of Peru; and Alcide d'Orbigny states (33. Quoted
by Prichard, 'Researches into the Physical
History of Mankind,' vol. v. p. 463.) that, from
continually breathing a highly rarefied atmos-