The Descent of Man

served that they still inherited their characteristic
peculiarities. But it was manifest, even without
measurement, that these peculiarities had
all decreased; and on measurement, their bodies
were found not to be so much elongated as
those of the men on the high plateau; whilst
their femora had become somewhat lengthened,
as had their tibiae, although in a less degree.
The actual measurements may be seen by
consulting Mr. Forbes's memoir. From these
observations, there can, I think, be no doubt
that residence during many generations at a
great elevation tends, both directly and indirectly,
to induce inherited modifications in the
proportions of the body. (35. Dr. Wilckens
('Landwirthschaft. Wochenblatt,' No. 10, 1869)
has lately published an interesting essay shewing
how domestic animals, which live in mountainous
regions, have their frames modified.)
Although man may not have been much modified
during the latter stages of his existence