The National tribune., 1891-03-05

broad traits dependent upon race temperament
aud eyolutional phase. can scarcely be said 10
possess any permanent mental, emotional or
moral characteristics which are distinguishable
as manifestations Of human nature peculiar to
themselves. lt would seem indeed 10 be i'm
possible that the case should be otherwise
Men come 10 resemble each other, and conse-
quently 20 differ from other men. only in vir-
tue OF long and intimate association. National
samenesS is the outcome Of all the restrictions
upon savage separatism that civilization has
Instituted. Our acquaintance with the social
and tribal relations or these islanders is very
incomplete, but enough Is known Of them 10
warrant the statement that they live under
conditions directly opposed TO those which could
produce similarity Of any kind. No doubt the
people represent tie same differences in social
structure that the houses they live in do archi-
teciurally. The latter are of all grades from tho
lowest form Of primitive hut to wooden resi-
denccs built on piles, with 4 separate kitchen,
and general completeness of design and finish
unmatched among Pacific races
In some parts Of Micronesia, as the Pelew
Islands the population is divided into castles
whose limits are intransCresSiblc. More com
monty, however these natives form separate
clans, all members Of which are theoretically
brothers and sisters, aud occupy separate resi-
dences When man marries he leaves his own
relations 10 live with those Of his wife. De-
scent is altogether in the female line. Women
have as much influence ia public affairs As in
domestic matters Tho eldest representative
OF the most ancient family is the
POLITICAL HEAD
Of each community. aud the oldest female be-
comes chlef OF the women. Apart from other
results OF this arrangement il evidently oper-
atcs adversely toward free intercommunica-
ton, and when taken together with an incOm-
piele analgamation Of race elements derived
IRON several stocks, may serve 10 explain those
dipcrsities which have teen described.
As might be inferred from the foregoing,
nothing like uniform system OF agriculture
exists. In some islands very considerable skill.
perseverance, aud attention are exhibited in this
department, while in Others the inhabitants
depend chiefly for vegetable food upon the
spontaneous productions of their soil. They
are very generally fishermen i'm all the islands.
and have we'll provided themselves with the
implements Of their crafir-fsh-spears, hooks.
lines and nets. The Marshall IsIauds and
western Carolines produce the best sailors in
The Pacific, and before foreign transports were
nj hand, these natives showed their trading
aud rowing prOpensities by dispatching fleets
Of flying prOas (which steered by the stars)
upon distant voyages. Coast and inland waters
are navlgated in small canoes and clumsy row.
boats OF native design, whose timbers are pre-
pared and put together with stone axes aud
she'll chsels alone.
IN the way of food, they have cocoanuts,
hread-lrult taro flour rice, arr0wroot, aud
limited supply Of bananas and sugar-cane. Ad-
dlhonaily, unfailiBg catches of various kinds
OF hsh are made 20 which they add turtles
crustaceans, sea birds, some poultry and pigs
oi their own raising the flesh Of dogs, which is
hlghIy esteemed, and also certain imported arii-
cles that The increasing c0mmun catOn Of these
islands with the outside world place at the dis
pcsal OF those able 10 procure them.
such clothes as they wear are for the most
part OF foreign manufacture, and the
SHIPS or SEVERAL NATIONS
have likewise provided the people with con-
demned muskets and wOrnout artillery. Arms
OF this description. however, suit these unwar-
like tribes very well. War with them is little
more than pageant and pretense. Their cam
psiRns are almost rs hloodless as those Of GER
tain African populations who on like occasions
call out their forces, occupy positions. form
lines OF battle. and then sit down and abuse
each other until victory declares for the side
with the longest breath aud greatest power Of
vItUperation.
THIS may he large or small, barbed or UNMARRIED.
used like a lance or projected by means Of a
bamboo throwing-siick. War clubs are carried
also, aad slings made Of cocoanut fiber, from
which latter material they likewise manu-
iacture defensive amor similar in design TO
the shirt aud hood OF mail worn in Europe be-
lore the lighter and more efficient plate sRit
came in fashion. straight, wooden sword is
found in the Gilbert Islands very much like
the ancient Aztec macclqh,dA Of Mexico. ex-
cert that the edges, instead OF being set with
triangular pieces Of o!'sidian. volcanic glass,
arc armed with sharks teeth.