We assume the original unity of the human race. It is probable that the physical and mental differences of existing races arose through their progenitors having been subjected to different climatic influences and to different conditions of life through long periods of prehistoric time.
There has been no perceptible change in the great types during the historic age. The paintings upon the oldest Egyptian monuments
Fig. 7.—Negro Captives
(From the monuments of Thebes)
Illustrating the permanence of race characteristics
show us that at the dawn of history the principal races were as distinctly marked as now, each bearing its racial badge of color and physiognomy.
16. The Black Race.—Africa south of the Sahara is the home of the peoples of the Black Race, but we find them on all the other continents and on many of the islands of the seas, whither they have migrated or been carried as slaves by the stronger races; for since time immemorial they have been "hewers of wood and drawers of water" for their more favored brethren.
17. The Yellow or Mongolian Race.—Eastern and Northern Asia is the central seat of the Mongolian Race. Many of the Mongolian tribes are pastoral nomads, who roam over the vast Asian plains north of the great ranges of the Himalayas; their leading part in history has been to harass peoples of settled habits.
But the most important peoples of this type are the Japanese and the Chinese. The latter constitute probably a fifth or more of the entire population of the earth. Already in times very remote this people had developed a civilization quite advanced on various lines, but having reached a certain stage in culture they did not continue to make so marked a progress. Not until recent times did either the Chinese or the Japanese become a factor of significance in world history.
18. The White Race and its Three Groups.—The so-called White Race embraces the historic nations. The chief peoples of
