334 CHARLES WILKES. 



charcoal. They have short faces, narrow foreheads, 

 and high cheek-bones. Their eyes are small and 

 usually black, the upper eyelids in the inner corner 

 overlapping the under one, and bear a strong re- 

 semblance to those of the Chinese. Their nose is 

 broad and flat, with wide-spread nostrils, mouth 

 large, teeth white, large, and regular. The hair is 

 long, lank, and black, hanging over the face, and is 

 covered with white ashes, which gives them a hideous 

 appearance. The whole face is compressed. Their 

 bodies are remarkable from the great development 

 of the chest, shoulders, and vertebral column ; their 

 arms are long, and out of proportion, their legs 

 small and ill made. There is, in fact, little difference 

 between the size of the ankle and leg; and, when 

 standing, the skin at the knee hangs in a large, loose 

 fold. In some the muscles of the leg appear almost 

 wanting, and possess very little strength. This 

 want of development in the muscles of the legs is 

 owing to their constant sitting posture, both in their 

 huts and canoes. Their skin is sensibly colder than 

 ours. It is impossible to fancy any thing in human 

 nature more filthy. They are an ill-shapen and 

 ugly race." 



