THE PYGMY OR NEGRILLO RACES 



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HOVA WOMEN SELLING RICE, ANTANANARIVO DISTRICT. 



black pygmies are covered with down, says that the red pygmies are less hairy than most 

 Negroes. From Burrows' description of his black pygmies, it is probable that they are 

 hybrids between the redder-coloured pygmies and Negroes. 



The most graphic general sketch of the life and habits of the Equatorial dwarfs we owe 

 to Stanley, whose account is confirmed by the reports of later travellers. He estimates their 

 height as from 3 feet to 4 feet 6 inches, and the weight of an adult at about 90 Ibs. They 

 live in groups of from eight to twelve communities, numbering altogether from 2,000 to 2,500 

 persons. Their huts are "low structures of the shape of an oval figure cut lengthways; the 

 doors are from 2 feet to 3 feet high, placed at the ends " ; the huts are arranged in a rough 

 circle, the centre being left cleared for that of the chief. About 100 yards in advance of the 

 camp, on every track from it, there is a sentry-hut, occupied by a couple of pygmies, who 

 levy toll on all passing caravans. 



The main industry of the forest pygmies is hunting; game supplies them not only with 

 most of their food, but with the excess of their own requirements they buy vegetable products, 

 weapons, and pots from neighbouring tribes. They hunt all classes of game, which they kill 

 with poisoned arrows or spears, or by traps and pitfalls. Heavy game is caught in game- 

 pits, which are covered with light sticks and leaves, disguised by a layer of earth. Monkeys are 

 captured in a shed-like structure suspended by a vine; underneath are some nuts or plantains, 

 and the instant the bait is touched the shed falls and the animal is caught within it. The 

 smaller animals are taken by noose-traps, placed along their tracks. Elephants are often killed 

 with poisoned barbs fastened to heavy blocks of wood, which are suspended along a game-track: 

 when a passing elephant breaks the cord by which the barb is suspended, the poisoned weapon 

 falls on to the animal's back. 



