POLYNESIA. I] 



ness and dignity. The people of Tonga are perhaps a little darker in 

 colour, and of rather more hardy make than their northern neigh- 

 bours, whom they otherwise closely resemble. 



Of the New Zealanders, the following description is taken from our 

 notes made on the spot : They are a fine race, evidently of the pure 

 Polynesian stock, but inferior, as might be expected, to the indolent 

 natives of the tropical islands in the regularity and elegance of their 

 physiognomy. They have neither the round, swelling muscles, nor 

 the soft contour of face, which distinguish the Tahitians and Samoans; 

 but they are strongly formed, with hard, sinewy flesh, and bold, well- 

 defined features. In complexion they are a shade darker than the 

 islanders before mentioned. The forehead is often high, but slopes 

 backward ; the eyes are rather small, black, and piercing ; the nose, 

 which is their most distinguishing feature, is frequently aquiline, and 

 so prominent, that its ridge forms a straight line with the receding 

 forehead. Altogether, a New Zealander, in complexion, form, and 

 profile, comes very near a North American Indian. 



Some voyagers have believed that they saw in the natives of New 

 Zealand at least two distinct races of men, of which one approached 

 the yellow Polynesian, and the other the black Papuan family. The 

 latter, they say, are distinguished by their shorter stature, darker com- 

 plexion, and frizzled hair. Our observations did not confirm the 

 correctness of these statements. It appeared to us that the physical 

 differences were no greater than are seen in every country between 

 different classes of people, between the well-fed, luxurious idler, and 

 the half-starved, ill-clad labouring man. We saw many stinted forms 

 and dark complexions among them, but no instance of what could 

 properly be termed frizzled or woolly hair. 



The natives of the Society Islands are a handsome, but effeminate 

 people. The difference between the higher and the lower classes is 

 particularly remarkable in the taller stature and bulkier forms, fre- 

 quently overloaded with fat, of the former. The forehead is of good 

 height, but retreats, and narrows towards the top. 



The inhabitants of the Low Archipelago are a very dark-skinned 

 race, with harsh, irregular features, sometimes short and thick, and 

 sometimes aquiline and bold. Their forms usually indicate strength 

 and activity, and the expression of their countenances is stern and 

 fierce. 



The Marquesans have the reputation of being the handsomest of 

 the Polynesian tribes ; and if we may judge from some individuals of 



