Chap. XIII. BLUSHING. 319 



filling of the capillaries, would reflect a somewhat dif- 

 ferent tint to what it did before. That the capillaries of 

 the face in the negro become filled with blood, under 

 the emotion of shame, we may feel confident; because 

 a perfectly characterized albino negress, described by 

 Buff on, 17 showed a faint tinge of crimson on her cheeks 

 when she exhibited herself naked. Cicatrices of the skin 

 remain for a long time white in the negro, and Dr. 

 Burgess, who had frequent opportunities of observing 

 a scar of this kind on the face of a negress, distinctly saw 

 that it " invariably became red whenever she was abrupt- 

 ly spoken to, or charged with any trivial offence." 18 

 The blush could be seen proceeding from the circum- 

 ference of the scar towards the middle, but it did not 

 reach the centre. Mulattoes are often great blushers, 

 blush succeeding blush over their faces. From these 

 facts there can be no doubt that negroes blush, although 

 no redness is visible on the skin. 



I am assured by Gaika and by Mrs. Barber that the 

 Kafirs of South Africa never blush; but this may only 

 mean that no change of colour is distinguishable. Gaika 

 adds that under the circumstances which would make a 

 European blush, his countrymen " look ashamed to keep 

 their heads up." 



It is asserted by four of my informants that the 

 Australians, who are almost as black as negroes, never 

 blush. A fifth answers doubtfully, remarking that only 

 a very strong blush could be seen, on account of the dirty 

 state of their skins. Three' observers state that they do 

 blush; 19 Mr. S. Wilson adding that this is noticeable 



17 Quoted by Prichard, Phys. Hist, of Mankind, 4th edit. 

 1851, vol. i. p. 225. 



18 Burg-ess, ibid. p. 31. On mulattoes blushing, see p. 33. 

 I have received similar accounts with respect to mulattoes. 



19 Barring-ton also says that the Australians of New 

 South Wales blush, as quoted by Waitz, ibid. p. 135. 



