1 I PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANATOMICAL AND ANTHROPOLOGICAL 



woolly hair, others have long wavy hair, worn twisted into innumer- 

 able cords. In common with other dark races, they have a great love 

 for ornaments, such as nose and ear rings, bracelets, etc. Their bodies 

 are adorned with paint of various colours, but their clothing is very 

 scanty, a short kilt of woven grass being the only article of apparel 

 worn. 



The men are constantly fighting in some of the islands, and this 

 used to be the only occupation which was considered worthy of their 

 attention. They never part with their weapons, in the use of which 

 they display marvellous skill. The chief offensive weapons used are 

 spears, bows and arrows, killing-stones, clubs and tomahawks. These 

 weapons are always beautifully carved with the images of their gods, 

 or of some warrior whose fame lives in the tribe. The young boys 

 are carefully taught how to use all of these weapons with skill, and 

 they accompany their fathers and elder brothers in all their wars, and 

 are initiated into all their cruelties and lusts as a necessary equip- 

 ment for their life of warfare. 



As is the case with all degraded races, all the work is done by 

 the women. The cultivation of the fields, the fencing of the planta- 

 tions, the weaving of the clothing, and other domestic duties are per- 

 formed by them. It is considered disgraceful for a man to work. 

 To keep the women in a state of subjection, and to prevent them 

 from revolting against this custom, a number of them are periodically 

 killed and eaten as a warning to the others. 



Polygamy is universal, and each man keeps a number of wives 

 sufficient to maintain him in a position befitting his rank. 



Infanticide is common. The old and helpless are put to death, 

 and widows are killed so that their spirits may accompany those of 

 their husbands into the other world. 



Vice of all kinds is rampant among the people, and in many 

 places has not been lessened by the coming of the white man. 



Although the people are degraded they live in well-built huts 

 collected into villages, under the command of recognised chiefs. The 

 villages are kept scrupulously neat and clean. 



