53 2 



THE LIVING RACES OF MANKIND 



absence of all trace of wave or curl, it may be compared, indeed, rather to the inane of 

 a horse than to the locks of the Caucasian races; its straightness being due to its almost 

 perfectly circular (instead of more or less elliptical) cross-section. The face, like the body, is 

 practically devoid of hair; such stray hairs as do make their appearance being artificially 

 removed. As regards the colour of the skin, there is considerable local variation, but it may 

 be described generally as coppery or yellowish brown, although in the natives of some of the 

 tropical forest districts like those of Amazonia it is light brown, while in the dwellers of some 

 of the high grounds it is dark brown. The lips and nose do not in general differ to any 

 great extent from the European type; the latter being generally large, with a well-marked 

 bridge, and nearly straight, or even slightly aquiline in profile. More characteristic is the 

 distinct lateral prominence of the cheek-bones, which are often also proportionately high; but 

 in some cases the formation of this part of the face does not differ essentially from the 

 Caucasian type. The forehead is retreating, and marked by distinct brow-ridges, which attain 



their greatest de- 

 velopment in certain 

 skulls from Patagonia. 

 The eyes, which are 

 almost invariably 

 black in colour, are 

 small and rather deep- 

 set, while in form 

 they are round without, 

 distinct trace of obli- 

 quity in their setting. 

 The limbs present no 

 distinctive differences 

 from the Caucasian 

 type. As a rule, 

 American Indians are 

 of tall stature, the 

 average being given 

 at from 5 feet 8 

 inches to 5 feet 10 

 inches; but in some 

 districts of both Xorth 

 and South America 

 G feet, or even more, 

 is reached, while on 



the plateau of Peru, as well as in Alaska and Tierra del Fuego, the height sinks to less 

 than 5 feet. The characters of the skull do not enter into the scheme of the present, 

 work, but it may be mentioned that both long-headed and rounded types of Americans are 

 met with in both divisions of the continent. These have been taken to indicate different 

 sources of origin from the Old World, but it may be questioned whether this view has sufficient, 

 evidence for its support. 



Perhaps the best short definition that can be given of American Indians is that they are 

 copper-coloured or yellowish brown, beardless people, with lank hair, and without the 

 oblique eyes, broad and flat faces, or small and concave noses of the Mongols. Obviously they 

 have no affinity with the Negroid branch of mankind ; while the character of the hair and the 

 absence of a beard separate them widely from the Caucasian branch. On the other hand, in 

 the character of the hair and their smooth faces they show a distinct approximation to the 

 Mongol type. From the typical Mongols they are, however, at once distinguished by the 

 retreating forehead and the strongly developed brow-ridges, as well as by the general cast of' 



A GROUP OF NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN'S IN FULL UKUSS. 



