BY WILLIAM E. ARMIT, F.L.S., F.R.G.S. 81 
Mr. Wallace sums up his observations on the typical Papuan 
race—which he contrasts with the Malay—as follows :—‘“ The 
typical Papuan race is, in many respects, the very opposite of 
the Malay, and it has hitherto been very imperfectly described. 
Colour of body,isadeep sooty brown, or black, sometimes approach- 
ing, but never quite equalling, the jet black of some negro races. 
It varies in tint, however, more than that of the Malay, and is 
sometimes a dusky brown. ‘The hair is very peculiar, being 
harsh, dry, and frizzly, growing in little tufts or curls, which in 
youth are very short and compact, but afterwards grow out to a 
considerable length, forming the compact frizzled mop which is 
the Papuan’s pride and glory. The face is adorned with a beard 
of the same frizzly nature as the hair of the head. The arms, 
legs, and breast are also more or less clothed with hair of a 
similar nature. 
“In stature, the Papuan decidedly surpasses the Malay, and is, 
perhaps, equal, or even superior, to the average of Europeans. 
The legs are long and thin, and the hands and feet larger than 
in the Malays. The face is somewhat elongated, the forehead 
flattish, the brows very prominent; the nose is large, rather 
arched and high, the base thick, the nostrils broad, with the 
aperture hidden, owing to the tip of the nose being elongated ; 
the mouth is large, the lips thick and protuberant.” 
The moral characteristics of the Papuan also separate him 
from the Malay. 
“He is impulsive and demonstrative in speech and action. 
His emotions and passions express themselves in shouts and 
laughter, in yells and frantic leapings. Women and children take 
their share in every discussion, and seem little alarmed at the 
sight of strangers and Europeans.” 
Intellectually, Mr. Wallace places the Papuans above the 
Malay, although they had failed as yet in advancing towards 
civilisation. The comparison, however, seems to me rather 
invidious, as the Malay has for centuries been influenced by 
