«14 



REPORT — 1889. 



Finally, I give a series of measurements of seven crania from Lytton, 

 probably of the Ntlakyapamuq, collected a number of years ago by 

 Dr. Gr. M. Dawson, who kindly had the measurements made at my request. 



SJculls from Lytton B. G. in the Museum of the Geological and Natural 

 History Survey of Canada. 



Sensks and Mental Characters. 



It is only with a considerable degree of diffidence that I venture to 

 express an opinion on the senses, mental capacity, and character of the 

 natives of British Columbia. Observations made in the course of a few- 

 days hardly entitle an observer to judge of the mental faculties or of the 

 virtues and vices of a people. The only tribes with whom I came into 

 closer contact are the Tlatlasik'oala of Hope Island and the ^atloltq 

 of Comos, among both of whom I lived for a few weeks in 1886. 



The Indians of the whole coast are able-bodied and muscular, the 

 upper limbs being very generally better developed than the lower ones, 

 as the constant use of the paddle strengthens arms and chest. They 

 have a keen sight, but in old age become frequently blear-eyed, presum- 

 ably an effect of the smoke which always fills the houses. I have not 

 made any experiments regarding their acuteness of sight, hearing, and 

 smell. Their mental capacity is undoubtedly a high one. The state of 

 their culture is ample proof of this. I have expressed my opinion regard- 

 ing the possibility of educating them at another place. 



The best material for judging their character is contained in their 

 stories, in which appears what is considered good and what bad, what 

 commendable and what objectionable, what beautiful and what otherwise. 

 Regarding the last point, whiteness of skin and slenderness of limbs is 

 considered one of the principal beauties of men and women. Another 

 beauty of the latter is long, black hair. In some tales red hair is de- 

 scribed as a peculiar beauty of women. Red paint on the face, tight- 

 fitting bracelets and anklets of copper, nose- and ear-ornaments of 

 variegated haJiotis shells, and hair strewn with eagle-downs add to the 



