INSTRUCTIONS 



RELATIVE TO TUE 



ETHNOLOGY AND PHILOLOGY OF AMERICA. 



APPENDIX A. 



PHYSICAL CHARACTER OF THE INDIAN RACES. 



Investigations are now being made into the physical cha- 

 racter of the soldiers composing the armies of the United States, 

 embracing a large number of measurements of different parts of 

 the body, designed to ascertain the effect of climate, locality, and 

 mode of life upon men, the average size and proportions of troops 

 of the United States as compared with those of foreign countries, 

 and those of the different States as compared with each other. 



In connection with this inquiry it is deemed a matter of interest 

 to extend the examination to the Indian tribes of America, and 

 to ascertain the proportions of the aboriginal races as compared 

 with those of European descent, and also the effects of diiferent 

 food, climate, and mode of life upon the various tribes of the 

 former. 



The measurements selected for this purpose are, for various 

 reasons, limited to a smaller number than in the case of the army, 

 and with the exception of that of weight, which as being variable 

 is of the least consequence, are such as can be taken with a tape- 

 measure. They should be made with great care in feet, inches, 

 and tenths of an inch. 



Persons familiar with the Indians are aware that a great differ- 

 ence exists in the complexion, not merely of individuals, but of 

 tribes. In some cases that peculiar reddish tinge of the skin 

 which has given to the race the name of "Red" or "Copper- 

 colored Men" is predominant and marked ; in others a light 

 brown is the more common ; again, a yellowish or somewhat 

 orange hue exhibits itself ; and, finally, some approach nearly to 

 black. Among the lighter colored the red often shows in the 



liay, 1865. ( 35 ) 



