2o6 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



high, but not specially prominent ; the nose is usually large, and, 

 in the men, oftentimes indicates a strength of will which is not 

 confirmed by the character of the people ; the forehead is high 

 and broad, sometimes overhanging to such a degree as to inten- 

 sify the apparent lowness of the base and bridge of the nose, and 

 I think this fact has led most observers to overlook a certain 

 shapeliness of that member. The faces of the men impress one 

 with their appearance of dignity, the long hair and the flowing 

 beard giving them a truly patriarchal look. When in repose the 

 face is apt to have an appearance of sadness, for the eyes — except 

 when hunting or aronsed by some momentary excitement — are 

 rather dull and expressionless. This appearance of sadness is 

 particularly noticeable in the younger people and children, but 

 it is very evanescent, and disai)pears instantly when anything 

 is said or done in the least likely to provoke a langh ; then the 

 face breaks into smiles, and presents a singularly attractive 

 aspect. Though naturally as shy as a young fawn, even the 

 little children will respond with a laugh to a kind word and smile 

 from a foreigner. I do not understand their language at all, and 

 therefore can not speak authoritatively, but I do not think that 

 I was ever called by foul names in an Ainu village. One can 

 usually tell by the tone and manner, and the reception of the 

 insult by others, whether or not opprobrium is being shouted 

 after one. I can not say the same of all the Japanese places I 

 have visited. 



The robustness and general physique of the Ainu may be due 

 to the fact that — so far as known — they have always eaten meat 

 freely; whereas their neighbors and conquerors, the Japanese, 

 have been practically vegetarians for many centuries — fish, a 

 little fowl, and rarely a bit of game, not being a sufficient com- 

 pensation for the absence of solid flesh from their regular diet. 



No exact idea of the shape of the Ainu men's heads can be 

 formed from their appearance, for the hair forms a heavy shock, 

 standing out all around ; but when the tvomen's hair is dressed, 

 their heads seem t9 be rather small and shapely, and well set on 

 necks which are often long and graceful. 



The women certainly have larger hips than the Japanese 

 women. This may be due to their never having used the tight 

 dresses, with the strong under-bands and enormous belts (ohi) 

 which are swathed around the Japanese girl when she is yet 

 very young. In freedom of motion, in elasticity of gait, and in 

 grace of carriage, the Ainu woman, with all her dirt and rags, is 

 in pleasing contrast to the awkwardness of her Japanese sister 

 in purple and fine linen ! 



Almost the first thing to attract the attention of a stranger 

 visitinc: an Ainu village is the tattooing around the mouth of 



