Jan. 

 1826. 



188 VOYAGE TO THE 



c ^ p - ance of these islanders at first leads to a different 



VI. 



conclusion. They are upright in figure, and round, 

 but not robust. In their muscles there is a flabbi- 

 ness, and in the old men a laxity of integument, 

 which allows their skin to hang in folds about the 

 belly and thighs to a greater degree than those I 

 afterwards noticed at Otaheite or Woahoo. Two 

 causes may be assigned for this ; the nature of their 

 food, and their indolent habits. 



In general the Gam bier Islanders have a fine 

 Asiatic countenance, with mustachios and beards, 

 but no whiskers ; and when their heads are covered 

 with a roll of white cloth, a very common custom, 

 they might pass for Moors. It is somewhat remark- 

 able that we perceived none of the fourth class, or 

 those more nearly allied to negroes, thus habited, 

 but that it seemed to be confined to those of the 

 lightest complexion. The colour of their eyes is 

 either hazel or dark brown : they are small, deep 

 in the head, and have generally an expression of 

 cunning. Their eyebrows are naturally arched, and 

 seldom meet in front ; the cheek-bones are not so 

 prominent as in the fourth class, and the lips are 

 thinner ; the ears are moderately large, and the lobes 

 attached to the cheek, as in all the Pitcairn Islanders, 

 but not perforated : the nose in general is aquiline ; 

 the teeth, in the fourth class especially, not remark- 

 able for evenness or whiteness, and seem to fall out 

 at an early period ; the hair is turned back and cut 

 straight, and would be quite black, were it less sub- 

 jected to the sun, or, like that of the islanders just 

 mentioned, well oiled; but, exposed as it is to a 

 scorching sun, it becomes dried up and of different 

 hues on the same head ; and combs being unknown, 



