THE BERNADOU, ALLEN, AND JOUY KOREAN COLLECTION?, 

 IN THE U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Bv Waltkh Hough. 



Korea is a ])eiiinsula, with an area of about 90,000 square miles, the 

 east coast being formed by the prolongation of the coast of Asia oppo- 

 site Japan, and the west coast separated from China by the Yellow Sea. 

 On the north it is separated from Manchuria by the Yalu and Tumen 

 rivers. 



The country is mountainous and not very fertile. The climate is mild 

 in the southern jirovinces, and severe on the Manchurian border. The 

 fauna and flora are temperate and resemble those of Japan. 



The coast has few good harbors, and is extremely dangerous for navi- 

 gation on account of shallow water. 



Politically, the kingdom is divided into eight provinces, each ruled 

 o^er by a governor appointed by the King, from the ruling class, and 

 responsible for the administration of affairs.* 



There are also four independent provinces, to which governors are 

 appointed. There are about four hundred subgovernors, or magistrates, 

 of districts, also appointed from Seoul. It is estimated by Soh, a native 

 Korean, that there are eighty thousand Government officers in Korea. 



The population is variously estimated at from 11,000,000 to 28,000,000; 

 the former figure is probably nearer the truth. 



The people, in language and appearance, resemble the Japanese, and 

 form what is known as the Koreo-Japanese stock, whose origin is Man- 

 churia, which country has been aptly termed the "swarming place of 

 nations.' 



Tliree types have been ol)served in Korea, the first characterized by 

 short stature, yellow skin, and other resemblances to the Chinese. 

 These live in the Yellow Sea provinces (Kwang-hai) nearest to China. 

 The second type is also of short stature, swarthy skin, sparse beard, 

 and resembles the Japanese. The third type, whicli is in great majority 

 and may be taken as typically Korean, is of large stature, light skin 

 showing ruddy color in the cheeks, and has a tendency to high cheek 



* For an excellent sketch of the laws and custDius of Korea, see au article by Mr. W. 

 W. Rockhill, ill the American Anthropologist, VoL iv, 1891, pp. 177-187. 



42a 



