164 MARRIAGE AND HEREDITY 



of good health. Negroes, however, think differently. 

 The tropical climate of Africa renders a black 

 glossy skin desirable, and the darker a negro's com- 

 plexion, therefore, the better-looking he is thought 

 to be by his fellows. A pale negro is despised, be- 

 cause his pallor is unhealthy. The same influences 

 prevail in men's conceptions of the supernatural. 

 Contrary to European notions, negroes picture demons 

 as white and celestial spirits as black. White is 

 also the colour associated in their minds with 

 sadness. 



In savage races the jaws are strong and prominent. 

 The savage uses his teeth for many purposes for 

 which the European uses a tool. With his teeth he 

 tears and grinds his coarse food, whereas a European 

 softens his victuals by cooking, and then cuts them 

 with a knife. To the savage, therefore, the small 

 European jaw appears a deformity. Other character- 

 istics of the savage are great width between the eyes 

 and spreading nostrils, signifying aptitude forjudging 

 of the distance of objects and keenness of scent, 

 qualities more essential to a barbarous than to a 

 civilised life. Most races consider sound white teeth 

 a point of beauty, the reason being that these are 

 good for mastication. Among the Japanese and other 



