THE PAPUANS. 277 



nor ,vith the overhanging brow of the Australians ; the nose 

 large, slightly aquiline, and broad at the base ; the mouth large 

 with thick and pouting lips. The colour of the skin is 

 commonly of a deep black-brown or black, sometimes ap- 

 proaching the coal-black of the genuine Negro races. 



The growth of the hair is very peculiar, and at first sight 

 might be confounded with the wool of the negro. Its dis- 

 tribution is most easily seen. on the body and limbs, when it 

 may be observed to grow in small tufts or pencils, separated 

 one from the other, and giving a blotchy or woolly aspect to the 

 skin. The hair of the head doubtless grows in the same way, 

 but here the tufts are close together, and each forms a separate 

 small curl, very stiff, and when suffered to grow long hangs 

 down in a narrow pipe-like ringlet. The fashion of dressing 

 the hair varies in different localities, but generally the greatest 

 care is bestowed upon it. The face of the Papuans has upon 

 the whole a more European expression than that of the Malays, 

 and the prominent nose, the strongly marked eyebrows, and the 

 character of the hair enable one at once to distinguish these 

 two races from each other. 



The difference in their moral characteristics is no less 

 remarkable. ' 



The Papuan is impulsive and demonstrative in his language 

 and actions. His passions and emotions express themselves in 

 screaming and laughing, in howling and jumping. The women 

 and children take part in every conversation, and show no fear 

 at the sight of strangers and Europeans. The Malay is timid, 

 cold, quiet ; the Papuan bold, impetuous, and noisy. The 

 former is serious, and seldom laughs ; the latter is jovial, and 

 loves a joke : the one hides his emotions, the other shows them 

 openly. 



It is difficult to form an opinion of the intelligence of the 

 Papuans, but Mr. Wallace is inclined to place it on a somewhat 

 higher level than that of the Malays, although the latter, 

 influenced for centuries by the immigration and intercourse 

 with Hindoos, Chinese, and Arabs, have made some progress in 

 civilisation, while the former, commimicating but little with the 

 rest of the world, are still plunged in barbarism. The Papuan 

 has much more vital energy, which certainly would materially 

 aid his intellectual development were he placed in more 



