The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1872-03-06
a New Race.
BY vrvrEx De sAINr N,rrrN.

as a member Of the Geographical Society O
Paris, some comprehensive remarks delivered a
the November meeting Of the Society by Nj
Vinen de Saint Martin, on the origin Of III,
Polyuesian and other races. As they may prov,
interesting to many, and especially to somt
among Us who have made eihnolocy their "a
vorite pursuit have made translation Of tn,
same for publication. Mr. de Saint Martin ex
presses himself as follows:
A German traveller Mr.. JaCor, who. eighteen
months ago, sent to our Society most interest
ing volume concerning some parts Of the AsiatiC
Archipelago, has recently published in the Eth
nological Journal of Messrs Bas,ian & Hart.
mann, Of Berlin, the result of his observations in
the Island Of Luzon, the reading Of which has
suggested to my mind a few remarks which l beg
permission TO submit to your consideration, or,
rather, has prompted me to commit to writing
my views on a subject that has eugrossed my
thoughts for many years and which do not
deem unworthy OF the attention OF learned men
devoting their time to the study of the globe and
its inhabitants
In his book, Mr.. Jagor attaches great import
ance to chronological questions. Three aboriginal
people occupy the Island Of Luzon aud the con-
tiguous southern Islands the Tagals iuhabit the
northern and western parts Of Luzon the Bicols.
the eastern side; aud the Bizayas, the islands
south Of LuzOn. These three people are OF
Malay origin; their idioms however distinct are
no distant branches from the same stock. They
are so much alike in feature bearing, and out
ward appearance that only long intercourse
with them can enable US to distinguish the one
from the other; but it can be discerued that the
Bicols, who live between the Tagals and the Bi-
zayas and whose language is a medium between
theirs, are apparently also intermediate with
them physically and morally-inferior to the
Tagals, but superior to the Bizayas
Mr.. Jagor expresses the wish aud the hope
that careful photographic investigations may take
place in that direction. The Asiatic Archipelago
is, indeed, one Of the ethnogaphc, as well as
geographic, regions of the globe which is most
iueompletely known. Hydrography. alone, has
nearly performed its part there, but for the
rest long and patient research-unhappiy very
dificu!t-must be made, many observations gath
cred, and facts Of high scientific Importance
elucidated.
We are informed that & well-knowu race. the
Malays, occupy nearly all the shore line Of all the
Islands, and that in the interior there have been
found some tribes more or less barbarous, some
times altogether savage. showing. between them
selves, apparent siHiiariJies but ABSOLUTELY differ
ing from the Malays. We are also told that.
eastward. the exuemiues of the Archipelago
are inhabited BY another race-a black race
called Papuan, at first sigh, noticeable BY the
singular aspect of their woolly and bushy heads
1t is also well known that, further on, in the /.
great ocean, on the other side Of New Guinea
large archipelagos, forming long chain compris- .
ing New Britain, New Hebrides and New Gale /
dOnia, are inhabited by real negroes with vooIly
hair, differing nevertheless in several essential .
characteristics from the African negroes; while .
by the side Of those aud of the Papuaus, another
race with very dark skin, the Australian race,
has straight and smooth hair.
What are the exact limits Of these races =?
Above all. what are their exact relations? Such
are the questions which science at present is not
ready to answer with certainty Where, exactly.
begins the domain of the Oceanic Negroes? In
what relation do they stand with the Papuans
Are the latter a pure or mixed race. q kind of
legroloid race, similar to the African and in
his case, Of what elements are they composed?
And as 70 the interior Of New G1inea-a country
Is little known as the Pole itself-vhat is the
ace occupying iti Isita Negro or a Papuan
and. or the photographic continuation Of Aus
ralia?
How many questions to be answered And
We have said nothing yet of Polynesia, another
astrological mystery. the solution Of which in
.vitably brings rs back to the great Asialic
Archipelago. This immense insular region, south
ast Of Asia, is, l repeat it, the newest and
argest field for ethnographieal investigation
ot to speak Of geographical exploration-5n all
he surface Of the globe and am safe to add !.
bat the problems it holds in reserve for ethnoo-
lists have an extent and relation that have thus /.
II been overlooked, and the existence Of which !;
IS hardly been suspected.
A whole century of active exploration may not
zhaust this subject the limits OF which reach
II beyond Us; bat believe that it would not be
nPozsible, even now, in collecting with care. !,
I'd comparing the facts already known, to draw
0nclusions Of sneh nature as to direct and en- :
ghteu, in 4 measure, future researches. And
Mess an greatly mistaken, these conclusions =
re new and unexpected enough in several re-
7ects, to deserve the serious attention Of those "
no take interest ia this kind of study.
As DO not intend to enlarge this beyond the ',
nits Of an essay, may be permitted. in order -
, Be brief to summarly exPou1d ny views in
ie form OF aphorsms, with few necessary ex-
ausiions. ="
l. Ny 6rst proposition land it has been ad- J.
tilted as true, at least il in its general terms)
that the great Asiatic Archipelago, from su-
at1 to the Cslsbss and Philippines, has been
e primoriial seat Of rses proper 10 this great
sulated region, and limited on one side by the
low populations Of Eastern Asia, and on the
her by Soath-Eest Oceanica- This race Is i-Efts.
tn features very nearly, If not absolutely Can
sian- Their hair Is black, thick and smooth
sir noses straight OF slightly aquiline the out
: Of the face Is oval These elemental fea-
RS are to Be found in all the people Of the inte wi