546 



REPORT — 1895. 



equation of the observers, and even of the same observer at different times. 

 The type which is being described exerts a deep influence upon the form 

 of description. Thus when first visiting the Indians there is a tendency 

 to describe the lips as thick because they are compared with those of the 

 whites, while later on they are called moderate because Indian lips are 

 compared among themselves. Descriptive features are, therefore, of no 

 great value, owing to the inaccuracy of the terms involved. Still, some 

 striking differences will be noticed in the following tabulations of the de- 

 scriptive features of men from 20 to 59 years of age : — 



This tabulation makes particularly clear the difference in the form of 

 nose found among the various tribes. 



I recorded the colour of the skin according to Radde's standard 

 colours, and selected the forehead for my comparisons. I recorded the 

 following tints among the various tribes : — • 



It appears from these data that the Kwakiutl are the lightest among 

 the people of the North Pacific coast, while the Nass River and Thomp- 

 son Indians are considerably darker. 



It is necessary to consider the cephalic index of the various tribes a 

 little more closely, because it seems that among the tribes of Fraser River 

 children are much more brachycephalic than adults. Investigations carried 

 on by means of extensive material do not show any such differences, and 



