Physical conformation.—Light-complexioned Atlantidæ, with dolikhokephalic capacious crania, straight or prominent nasal and orthognathic maxillary profiles. Referable to three types. 1. The Arab. 2. The Jew. 3. The Kaldani.
Influence on the History of the World.—Preeminently moral—spiritually as well as intellectually. In the case of the Arabs, material as well.
Religion.—Preeminently monotheistic for the later part of their history. For the earlier part, Paganism.
Social and civilizational development.—Early, influential, and probably as much self-developed as that of either the Ægyptians or the Hellenic Iapetidæ.
Alphabet.—With the exception of the Æthiopic, written from right to left. The earliest in the world.
Divisions.—More or less artificial.—Syrians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Phœnicians, Beni Terah, Arabs, Æthiopians, Solymi(?), Cappadocians(?), Elamites(?), Cyprians(?), Philistines(?), Canaanites(?).
SYRIANS.
Area.—Syria, Cœlosyria, part of Mesopotamia, the northern and eastern frontier being undetermined.
Divisions.—1. Syrians of Syria, either extinct or incorporate.
2. Syrians of Mesopotamia, ditto.