CHAP, in.] WEST INDIES. 63 



Their colour was ^ clear brown j not deeper, in gene- 

 ral, according to Columbus, than that of a Spanish 

 peasant who has been much exposed to the wind and 

 the sun. || Like the Charaibes, they altered the na- 

 tural configuration of the head in infancy; but after a 

 different mode;* and by this practice, says Herrera, 

 the crown was so strengthened that a Spanish broad 

 sword, instead of cleaving the skull at a stroke, would 

 frequently break short upon it;f an illustration which 

 gives an admirable idea ot the clemency of their con- 

 querors ! Their hair was uniformly black, without 

 any tendency to curl ; their features were hard and un- 

 sightly; the face broad, and the nose flat; but their 

 eyes streamed with good nature, and altogether there 

 was something pleasing and inviting in the counte- 

 nances of most of them, which proclaimed a frank and 

 gentle disposition. It was an honest face, (says Mar- 

 tyr), coarse, but not gloomy; for it was enlivened by 

 confidence, and softened by compassion. 



Much has been suggested by modern philosophers, 

 concerning a supposed feebleness in their persons and 

 constitutions. They are represented to have been in- 

 capable of the smallest degree of labour, incurably in- 

 dolent, and insensible even to the attractions of beau- 



|| F. Col. c. xxiii. 



* The sinciput, or fore-part of the head from the eye-brows to the co- 

 ronal suture, was depressed, which gave an unnatural thickness and ele- 

 vation to the occiput, or hinder part of the skull. 



-f Hcrrefa, lib. i. c. xvi. who copies tkis circumstance from Ovicdo. 



