414 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



Art. XLVIII. — On Maori Ancestry. 

 By James Coutts Crawford, F.G.S. 



[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 5th October, 1887.] 



In the last volume of the " Transactions " of the Institute there 

 are several valuable papers upon the subject of " The "Whence of 

 the Maori ;" but I think they dwell too much upon the argu- 

 ment from language, and almost entirely omit any reference to 

 physical characteristics. Now, if there is anything more remark- 

 able than another in the history of the human race it is the 

 persistence of types. If we look at the ancient sculptures of 

 Egypt, and observe the present inhabitants, we find that the 

 ancient Egyptian is still represented by the Copt of to-day ; and 

 the Negro of Africa presents the same type that he did many 

 thousands of years ago. The Jew of to-day has the same form 

 and features as his ancestors of the sojourn in Egypt. The 

 dress is different, but the type is the same. If we consult the 

 form and features of the old statues of Greece and Eome, or 

 the frescoes of Pompeii, or the monuments in the cathedrals 

 and churches of Western and Central Europe, we find the type 

 is similar to that of European peoples of the present day. We 

 do not find the brown or the black races represented. The 

 Aryan type is prominent throughout. 



Carried into more detail, we find varieties among the 

 Aryans, and various crosses of these varieties, which are clearly 

 distinguishable. Thus, in the British Isles, which contain a 

 very mixed population, it is easy to make out the districts which 

 are chiefly inhabited by descendants of Anglo-Saxons, or of 

 Jutes, or of Scandinavians, or of Celtic races, whether or not 

 the language has been retained ; and it is said that in the south- 

 west of Ireland there are evidences in form and feature of 

 Turanian origin. Crossing the Channel to France, it is easy to 

 see where the original Celtic race of ancient Gaul is predominant, 

 and where it has been mixed with Norman or Teutonic blood. 

 The difference in size and character is evident. But all the 

 nation, with the trifling exceptions of the people of Brittany, 

 and perhaps some Basques in the Pyrenees, speak French, and 

 that being a Bomance language, the French say that they belong 

 to the Latin race, which, if taken to mean that they are Boinans, 

 is an absurdity. By the argument from language they may be 

 held to be Bomans, but as a matter of fact they are not Bomans. 

 Granted that the Bomans may have founded cities, and sent 

 some colonists to Gaul, so did the Phoenicians and the Greeks. 



I could go on with similar remarks upon Italy, Greece, and 

 other countries. In Italy the whole nation speaks Italian ; but 

 physically and mentally there is great difference between the 



