248 ABORIGINAL INHABITANTS. [1839 



of the head, and not underneath, as is the case with the 

 other varieties. 



Insects are also found in considerable numbers, yet they do 

 not differ essentially from those found in other countries simi- 

 larly situated. Flies, spiders, cockroaches, chintz, and mas- 

 quitoes, abound. Of ants, there are many varieties, and of 

 different colors and sizes. Some of them are as large as 

 wasps, and have visible stings ; and nearly all the kinds are 

 said to be poisonous. 



(6.) Mr. Crawfurd insists that the East insular negro is a 

 distinct, and decidedly inferior variety of the human race ;* 

 and so far as the native Australian is concerned, his many 

 peculiarities afford strong reasons for separating him from 

 the African Ethiop, whom he resembles more nearly than 

 any other species. He is by nature stupid, and puny and 

 weak in person. Both in his physical character, and in his 

 moral and intellectual attainments, he bears the impress of 

 inferiority. His average stature barely exceeds five feet. 

 He has a higher forehead, and a thicker skull than the Afri- 

 can negro, and his nose is not so much depressed ; but his 

 jaws advance still more boldly, and his buttocks are consid- 

 erably lower. His chest and shoulders are slenderly built, 

 yet the abdomen is quite prominent. The muscles are nut 

 very powerfully developed, though he is remarkable for his 

 agility. 



The complexion of the aborigines is chocolate colored, or 

 a tint between the sooty black of the African, and the clear 

 olive of the Malay. Their lips are not unusually thick, and 

 their teeth are white and even. Their eyes are small, black, 

 and deep set. Their hair is long and black, generally straight, 

 but sometimes slightly curled : it is commonly cropped short, 

 but almost always matted and filthy, though without grease, 

 and free from vermin. The beards of the males are thick 

 and bushy, but are not suffered to grow long. They be- 

 smear their bodies with fat or oil, when it can be procured, 



* History of the Indian Archipelago, Vol. I. p. 21. 



