330 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



been extensively introduced, thereby making clean and dry streets 

 possible ; the sewer system has been extended upon scientific 

 principles, and antiquated and defective sewers removed ; new 

 piers have been constructed upon an established line and uniform 

 plan, though the number has hardly increased with the commer- 

 cial demand ; loss of life and accidents from fire have been mate- 

 rially decreased by an admirably organized and disciplined de- 

 partment ; and ample provision has been made for extensive pub- 

 lic parks ; and one of them, which is unrivaled for its beauty and 

 perfection, notably contributes to the health and pleasure of the 

 people. 



It must not be inferred or understood, from this brief and gen- 

 eral sketch of sanitary reform in New York during the last quar- 

 ter of a century, that perfection has been reached and the work 

 entirely accomplished. Important steps have been taken in the 

 right direction, and wonderful progress has been made, but the 

 field is wide and open for future activity and effort. The results 

 can hardly be so extraordinary and revolutionary in a similar pe- 

 riod, but the work will continue eminently useful in decreasing 

 human suffering and the rate of mortality. To make the metropo- 

 lis of the country a healthful and desirable place of residence for 

 the rich and the poor, and attractive as a resort and a temporary 

 abode for people of this and other lands, is an object not unworthy 

 the energy, ability, and ambition of any American citizen. 



-- 



DEPORTMENT OF SAVAGE NEGROES. 



By PAUL EEICHAED. 



EVEN the most thoroughgoing accounts of the customs of 

 savages rarely give full descriptions of their attitudes and 

 bearing. Yet these are the points that strike the stranger most 

 forcibly, and are most distinctly remembered by him. A com- 

 parison of them with the behavior of more civilized races and of 

 the lower animals might also afford an interesting anthropologi- 

 cal study. In my observations among the Bantu negroes, extend- 

 ing from Bagamoyo into the Congo territory, I have found, except 

 for the diversities in the forms of salutation, a great uniformity 

 in the attitudes of the people. My present account will be con- 

 fined to tribes which have remained free from foreign influence. 



The most salient features of the negroes' movements are a gen- 

 eral liveliness and a hasty, jerky execution. Their speech is loud 

 and is continually emphasized by gestures, which are a real con- 

 stituent of the speech, and are made all the same when the con- 

 versation is carried on in the dark ; and they are so expressive 



