XXXIX. 



NOTES ON THE MASAI. 



IT is in no way my intention to attempt a com- 

 prehensive description of this unique people. 

 My personal observation is, of course, inadequate 

 to that task, and the numerous careful works on 

 the subject are available to the interested reader. 

 The southern branch of the race, among whom 

 we were now travelling, are very fine physically. 

 Men close to seven feet in height are not at all 

 uncommon, and the average is well above six. 

 They are strongly and lithely made. Their skins 

 are a red-brown or bronze, generally brought 

 to a high state of polish by liberal anointing. 

 In feature they resemble more the Egyptian or 

 Abyssinian than the negro cast of countenance. 

 The women are tall and well formed, with proud, 

 quaintly quizzical faces. Their expressions and 

 demeanour seem to indicate more independence 

 and initiative than is usual with most savage 



