MELANESIA. 45 



possible that the population of the small island was derived. If so, 

 the Polynesians are, in this case, returning back nearly in the direc- 

 tion from which they are supposed to have originally proceeded. 



The external resemblance which is found between the negroes of 

 the Pacific and those of Africa, renders the contrast of their charac- 

 ters more striking. The latter are gay, frank, social, quick of appre- 

 hension, but deficient in steadiness and resolution, and prone to 

 sensuality. The Melanesians are, in every respect, the reverse of 

 this description, sullen, shy, treacherous, indocile, stubborn, and of 

 a cold temperament. A constant suspicion, the offspring of a continual 

 fear of treachery, is displayed, not only in their dealings with stran- 

 gers, but between members of the same tribe, and even of the same 

 family. The Polynesians rarely carry arms, except in time of war ; 

 a Feejeean (the most civilized of the Melanesians) is rarely without 

 them. A lack of enterprise, or rather a strong aversion to quitting 

 their homes, is a universal characteristic. Although the Feejee 

 Group, the New Hebrides, and the Solomon Isles, have been, during 

 the last forty years, frequently visited by ships, we know of no in- 

 stance in which a native has voluntarily entered on board one as a 

 sailor. 



We shall only notice here a few of the arts and customs which are 

 peculiar to the Melanesians, reserving other particulars for the de- 

 scription of the Feejee Islands. 



It is remarkable that the use of the bow, as a weapon of war, should 

 be confined to this race among the islanders of the Pacific. The 

 others sometimes employ it in their sports, but never in fighting. 

 This is one of those facts which seem, at first sight, unaccountable, 

 and can hardly be explained on the ground of long-established usage 

 alone. 



The manufactory of a kind of pottery is an art common to nearly 

 all the tribes of this race, and peculiar to them. The material is a 

 fine blue clay, which is mixed with sand, and moulded by hand to 

 the required shape. It is varnished with the juice of a certain nut, 

 and hardened in the fire. The most common form is that of a large 

 oval pot or jar, with a small circular mouth. This is set in a slanting 

 position on a hearth, and used for boiling their food. They have also 

 water-jars and small drinking vessels of the same material. 



Tattooing is seldom resorted to by this people, as the darkness of 

 their skins would render the marking nearly invisible. Instead of it, 

 they are accustomed to make, on the breast and arms, weals, or raised 



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