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 atmosphere, they have acquired chests and lungs of
extraordinary dimensions. The cells, also, of the lungs are larger and
more numerous than in Europeans. These observations have been doubted,
but Mr. D. Forbes carefully measured many Aymaras, an allied race,
living at the height of between 10,000 and 15,000 feet; and he informs
me (34. Mr. Forbes valuable paper is now published in the Journal of
the Ethnological Society of London, new series, vol. ii. 1870, p.193.)
that they differ conspicuously from the men of all other races seen by
him in the circumference and length of their bodies. In his table of
measurements, the stature of each man is taken at 1000, and the other
measurements are reduced to this standard. It is here seen that the
extended arms of the Aymaras are shorter than those of Europeans, and
much shorter than those of Negroes. The legs are likewise shorter; and
they present this remarkable peculiarity, that in every Aymara
measured, the femur is actually shorter than the tibia. On an average,
the length of the femur to that of the tibia is as 211 to 252; whilst
in two Europeans, measured at the same time, the femora to the tibiae
were as 244 to 230; and in three Negroes as 258 to 241. The humerus is
likewise shorter relatively to the forearm. This shortening of that
part of the limb which is nearest to the body, appears to be, as
suggested to me by Mr. Forbes, a case of compensation in relation with
the greatly increased length of the trunk. The Aymaras present some
other singular points of structure, for instance, the very small
projection of the heel.
These men are so thoroughly acclimatised to their cold and lofty abode,
that when formerly carried down by the Spaniards to the low eastern
plains, and when now tempted down by high wages to the gold-washings,
they suffer a frightful rate of mortality. Nevertheless Mr. Forbes
found a few pure families which had survived during two generations:
and he observed 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
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