The National tribune., 1891-03-19

ll that ID lies east Of Mel
anesiR throughout its
whole eNtgut. The
majority OF the islands
Included in this division OF the world arc stu
Eted la tropical seas and between The liawaian
archipelago on the north, Easter Island on the
east aud New Zealand on the south, thcre in
terpuse more considerable spaces of open ocean
than intervene between the territories Of other
provinces OF OrcHUica.
Before describing the populations Of the two
most important departments of TINS area geo.
graphically considered, it may be said Of its in
hahitHnts at large that their race afinities arc
very obscure. Extensive materials are nj hand
for discussing the question OF Poyncsian eth
biography, but il is neither disregard nor viO-
lafon OF truth 10 say that al relating 90 this
subject which Is certainly known, may be
summed mp ia a icw general statements
lu the FIRST place although the MGlayop Poly
nesan languages form distinct linguistic
stock no auaOgOusy definite physical CharaC-
teristics isolate the people. h may be that a
darker race with long skulls antedated them
in The occupation of their present sites, aud ID
D. probable that during prehistoric ages there
have been various Intern xtUres OF blood whose
modifying influences cannot now be traced 20
their source.
Malay aud Papuan strains are apparent
every here 8t the present time but these Is
lands contain small communities which cannot
be referred to either tyne and In certain places
the loug-c0ntiuucd INSTRUMENTATION Of d.
verse race elements has resulted IN a true mix
ture Beyond this authrop0logsts who have
no theory to support will scarcely 20.
Taking then, the 'olyuesaus as a reograph-
ical division Of mankind, in whom Malay traits
predominant here, papuaR there, while in other
localities neither are conspicuous the
AVERAGE MAN
tI.- It, 1.a- a., .,o,.
liarities: Hight medium with perhaps more
development Of the muscular system than of
the skeleton, and high, broad head, CORE
spending o. the position OF this people as un-
ouestiuBHbly iIst in intelligence aud culture
among the Pacific Islanders
The color may be brown, q light copper tint
pale olive. or golden yellow, according 10 To-
cality. Usually the nose il well shaped aud
somewhat prominent the hair black, will a
tendency to crispiness, the eyes fne aud large,
the face straight, aud among the men .fOr this
remark does not apply 20 females unless IN ex-
trgue YOUTH there iE a general possession Of
personal advantages such as is scarcely TO be
found in the inhabitants Of any other part Of
the earth whose advance towards civilization
has been So incomplete.
There is this popularity also about Polyne-
sia, namely that the prevailing color OF tho
skin among its tribes grows lighter as we APP
preach The Equator Tint mainly depends upon
the amount of unused carbon taken In with
food that is deposited from the blood in the
mucous layer of the skin and the extent 10
which this takes place is 70 be attributed TO a
variety Of circumstances and cannot be as
eIiled % heat alone.
Darwin and Others have noticed the fact that
contact between men ln very .icTont grades
OF development ls commonly disastrous TO
those who are least evolved. These writers
however. merely restate the general opinion
thar sayagcs disappear in the presence Of ciyili-
Eati0H.
Observation confirms this view, although It
would be easy 10 produce instances in which
such conditions seem 10 have been imperative.
AZ tIic same tine no scientific account mas been
RlFon OF the destructive causes implicated in
fhls assoc aiiou il Is safe to say, nevertheless.