144 KEPOET — 1873. 



phases in which it appears in the Negro, Malay, American, and Mongolian races, 

 and finally reaches the highest or Caucasian type ; so that, in fact, the leading 

 characters of the typical races of mankind are virtually and simply representations 

 of particular stages of the highest or Caucasian race. As the anterior lobes of the 

 brain are the seat of the intellectual activities, fulhiess of development and com- 

 plexity of structure are sure indications of the elevation of the racial type ; while, 

 on the other hand, the converse, as seen in the Negi'o or Bushman, is equally true, viz, 

 that simplicity of structure and perfect symmetry of type and arrangement of the 

 convolutions on both sides of the hemispheres are indisputable marks of degTadation 

 of function and inferiority of race. He says Gratiolet has dwelt on the importance 

 of studying with scrupiilous care and attention the complexities, relations, and ar- 

 rangements of the convolutions on the inferior, frontal, and coronal stage in all the 

 typical races, with a view to their psychical significance, and to the elucidation 

 and advancement of the study of ethnic psj'chology. In conclusion, he says that 

 the fact is indisputable that the large-brained European differs from and far sur- 

 passes the small-brained savage in the complexity of his manifestations, both intel- 

 lectual and moral ; but then he asks. Is not all this in strict accordance with and 

 what a priori might be expected to result from organic differences in the instruments 

 of the higher psychical activities — in other words, in the nervous apparatus of the 

 perceptive and intellectual consciousness ? 



Notes on Coral- Caves with Human Bones in Stalagmite on Mangaia, South 

 Pacijic. By the Eev. "VV. "VYtatt Gill, B.A. 



The author has resided for many years on the little island of Mangaia, one of the 

 seven islands constituting the Ilervey group. Mangaia is in 21° 57' south latitude, 

 and 158° 7' west longitude. It is nearly 20 miles in circumference, and not more 

 than 800 feet above the sea-level, with an unbroken fringing reef. The interior of 

 the island is formed of dark volcanic rock, rising in low hills striking from a single 

 Hat-topped centre. There is no lagoon. Streams of water from the centre por- 

 tion, after fertilizing some thousands of taro-plantations, find their way to the 

 ocean through a remarkable belt of uplifted dead coral, which, like a Cyclopean 

 waU, surrounds the inner part of the island. This mass of coral rock begins to rise 

 gradually about 200 yards from the rugged beach and slopes up to a ridge, but 

 towards the interior is pei-pendicular. It is from one to two miles across. In some 

 places the surface bristles with jagged rock sharp as spear-points. Many are the 

 ghastly wounds to the passenger occasioned by footslips. Numerous sea-shells, 

 similar to those on the present beach, are imbedded in this reef, even in the 

 highest parts. It is everywhere perforated by caverns and galleries. Mangaia 

 thus remarkably displays both the ordinarj' foi-ms of coral islands, the reef of dead 

 coral upraised on the land, and the fringing reef at sea denoting elevation first and 

 then suDsidence — both requiring a very long period of time for growth. The caves 

 in the dead coral have been used as habitations, as refuges, and as cemeteries. 

 Scores of them are filled with desiccated human bodies ; stalactite and stalagmite 

 abound, and form thick and fast-growing layers of limestone rock, of which the 

 author exhibited some specimens. In the waters lying in the hollows were nume- 

 rous limestone balls. 



Soon after arriving in Mangaia in 1852, the author explored a great number of 

 caverns on the southern part of the island. The great " cave of Tevaki " divides 

 into two branches — the one communicating' with the sea, the other with a glittering 

 stalactite roof terminates in an awful chasm. Pursuit of a tribe entrenched in such a 

 natural fortress was out of the question ; the plan adopted in such circumstances 

 was to starve them out. Opposite to this great cave is a lesser one with a low en- 

 trance. At the further end of this the author found a quantity of detached human 

 bones, and, close by, a number of others imbedded in the solid limestone wall of 

 the cavern. 



Two years ago the rumour of the great interest felt in Europe m the antiquity 

 of the human race reminded him of these cave-remains ; and so vivid were his first 

 impressions that he was able to go straight to the grotto, and with a hammer de- 

 tached the few specimens from the rock which were exhibited. 



