am not mistaken, in the works of M. de Humboldt, and
in those of M. M. de Spix and Martius on the American
nations, as well as in the writings of several distinguished
French navigators and naturalists, who have
described the tribes of people visited by them in the
late expeditions to the oceanic regions; If the elucidation
of doubts on subjects of physical inquiry were
to be sought for in the preponderance of authorities
or the opinions of celebrated men, I am afraid that
the problem which I have endeavoured to investigate
would receive a ditferent solution from that which I
have obtained; but as the case is quite otherwise, I
shall Venture to put forth the present edition of my
work, without much doubt that it will find readers disposed
to admit the inferences which a long reflection
on the facts therein developed arid on their relations
have led me to entertain.
August 8, 1836.
ANALYSIS OF THE CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTION.
Page.
Section K General statement of the inquiries which form
the subject of the following work................. 1
Section 2. Probable considerations on one side of the question 3
Section 3. Of arguments which are urged on the opposite
side' of the Relation of ;these inquiries
to the scriptural hisipty of mankind.. 6
Section 4. Inadeqftagy,of historical Sources of information.. 8
Section(<5. Method to, bp, followed in the investigation—
Statement of two distinct problems which Eire
(tq be discussed in the following books.......... 9
BOOK I.
ON THEORIGIN ANDDISPERSIONOF ORGANIZED BEINGS, COMPRIS-
, INg; CONSIDERATIONS RELATIVE ,TO , THE QUESTION---WHETHER
” EACH SPECIES IN THE ANIMAL AND, VEGETABLE WORLD EXISTS
i ONLY AS THE PROGENY OF ONE RACE, OR HAS SPRUNG ORIGINALLY
FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT SOURCES.
CHAPTER I.
Introductory Remarks—Opinion and Argument o f Linnceus
-—Mode o f investigating the Subject. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13