738 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



Albanians kept by themselves that after four centuries they are 

 still characterized by a cephalic index higher by four units than 

 the pure long-headed Italians about them. Many Greek colonists 

 have settled along these same coasts. They, however, being of the 

 same ethnic Mediterranean stock as the natives, are not physically 

 distinguishable from them. 



In conclusion, let us for a moment compare the two islands of 

 Sicily and Sardinia in respect of their populations. With the 

 latter we may rightly class Corsica, although it belongs to France 

 politically. Our maps corroborate the historical evidence with 

 surprising clearness. In the first place, the fertility and general 

 climate of Sicily are in marked contrast to the volcanic, often un- 

 propitious geological formations of the other islands. In respect 

 of topography as well, the differences between the two are very 

 great. Sardinia is as rugged as the Corsican nubble north of it. 

 In accessibility and strategic importance Sicily is alike remark- 

 able. Commanding both straits at the waist of the Mediterra- 

 nean, it has been, as Freeman in his masterly description puts it, 

 " the meeting place of the nations." Tempting therefore and ac- 

 cessible, this island has been incessantly overrun by invaders from 

 all over Europe Sicani, Siculi, Fenicii, Greeks and Romans, fol- 

 lowed by Albanians, Vandals, Goths, Saracens, Normans, and at 

 last by the French and Spaniards. Is it any wonder that its peo- 

 ple are less pure in physical type than the Sardinians or even the 

 Calabrians on the mainland nearby ? Especially is this notice- 

 able on its southern coasts, always more open to colonization than 

 on the northern edge. Nor is it surprising, as Freeman rightly 

 adds, that " for the very reason that Sicily has found dwelling 

 places for so many nations a Sicilian nation there never has 

 been." 



Sardinia and Corsica, on the other hand, are two of the most 

 primitive and isolated spots on the European map, for they are 

 islands a little off the main line. Feudal institutions of the mid- 

 dle ages still prevail to a large extent. We are told that the old 

 wooden plow of the Romans is still in common use to-day.* This 

 geographical isolation is peculiarly marked in the interior and all 

 along the eastern coasts, where almost no harbors are to be found. 

 Here in Sardinia stature descends to the very lowest level in all 

 Europe, almost in the world. Whether a result of unfavorable 

 environment or not, this trait is very widespread to-day. It seems 

 to have become truly hereditary. It extends over fertile and bar- 

 ren tracts alike. In other details also there is the greatest uni- 



*Bul). Soc. d'Anth., Paris, 1882, p. 310. On anthropology see work of Onnis, in 

 Arcbivio per TAntropologia, xxvi, 1896, pp. 27 seq., besides the other authorities afore- 

 named. 



