PAPUAN RACE. 



A Fejee Girl. 



A Native of the Fejee Islands. 



"•The term 'Papuan,'" says Dr. Pickering, "notwithstanding some ambiguity, may be conveniently 

 applied to a race of robust blacks, of whom the only examples I have seen, with probably one exception, 

 have been the natives of the Fejee Islands. 



" So far as my observation extends, the Papuan race differs from the rest of mankind in one remarkable 

 physical peculiarity, the hardness or harshness of the skin. This point long since attracted the attention 

 of those Tonga people, from whom Mariner derived his accurate notices of the Fejee Islands. It is proper 

 to add, that I have not examined the quality of the skin in the Negrillo race. 



The hair of the Papuan is in great quantity, is naturally frizzled and bushy, and so coarse as to be 

 rather wiry than woolly. When dressed according to the Fejee fashion, it forms a resisting mass, and offers 

 no slight protection against the blow of a club. I have had occasion to remark that it actually incom- 

 moded the wearer when lying down ; and to this circumstance, rather than to any foppery, I am disposed 

 to attribute the origin of the wooden neck-pillow. The beard does not appear to grow so long, or to cover 

 so large a portion of the face as in the white race ; but the Papuan exceeds the remaining races, in the 

 quantity of beard. 



" The complexion is of a deeper shade than in the Malay race, but it is much the same as in the Ben- 

 galee or Telingan. The features in many respects resemble those of the Negro, but the lips are not quite 

 so thick, and the nose is somewhat more prominent ; while a very general elongation of the face imparts a 

 different aspect. I did not meet with a really fine head among the Fejeeans, but the countenance was 

 often grave and peculiarly impressive ; and I had frequent occasions to remark, that strangers did not 

 readily forget the features of Veindovi. In average stature, the Fejeeans were found to exceed the white 

 race ; but they fell below the men of Tonga and Samoa. 



"In some parts of the globe instances of cannibalism have occurred, sometimes from extreme necessity, 

 or us a deed of savage ferocity; and we read of tribes who practise it as a ceremony, religious rite, or even 

 as a manifestation of affection. At the Fejee Islands the custom rests on different grounds. It is here 

 interwoven in the elements of society; it forms in no slight degree a pursuit; and it is even regarded in 

 the light of a refinement. Instances are of daily occurrence; and the preparation of human flesh calls into 

 requisition a variety of culinary processes, and is almost a distinct art. There are, however, degrees in the 

 practice, in different parts of the group ; and some revolting details were given, which it seems hardly 

 worth while to repeat. 



"In common with arts and attainments, the traces of cannibalism existing among the Polynesians have 

 appeared to me referable to a Fejeean source. And it is an interesting circumstance, that this practice 

 should not have acquired general and permanent foothoold among a people so easily influenced by 

 example." 



