520 SECTIONAL TRANSACTIONS.—H. 
of Puebloan concepts, although there is evidence that some of these reached 
the Pacific coast. One of their outstanding characters is the existence 
of strong tribal sense and its association with warfare. ‘These features 
are lacking among the peoples of adjacent areas. An analysis of the military 
conventions and insignia ot the Lower Colorado peoples suggests unexpected 
parallels with the Western Plains area beyond the Rockies. This relation 
is, however, not to be explained by a late westward diffusion of Plains con- 
cepts, but rather to acommon basis of military tradition, probably of southern 
origin. No elaboration of military societies has occurred in the Lower 
Colorado region, but the belief that military success is essential to the well- 
being of the tribe and that warfare should be conducted by tormal challenge 
and set battle has led to prolonged hostility between traditional enemies 
within the area. 
No economic objective or territorial aggrandisement is sought in warfare. 
Militarism is maintained and perpetuated by magical beliefs and by the social 
prestige of bravery as exhibited in conventional forms and obligations. 
Prof. V. Sux.—The Eskimos of Labrador and the extinction of primitive 
races of man (10.30). 
The latitude of the Labrador peninsula is about the same as that of England, 
and Cape Chidley in the north corresponds with the North Cape of Scotland. 
Yet, owing to the North Pole currents, the whole region has more or less 
the character of an arctic country. Its aboriginal inhabitants were Eskimos, 
yet, at present, there are beside 800 pure blood Eskimos many mixed breeds, 
White and Eskimo, and White settlers as well. There is no doubt left that 
the pure blood Eskimos of Labrador, who two centuries ago inhabited also 
the South Coast, and at present are restricted to the North Coast, are 
slowly dying out. It is the same with the Alaskan Eskimos, and not only 
Eskimos, but many of the more isolated small groups of mankind are dying 
out. It is certain that the Labrador Eskimos were, for the last hundred and 
fifty years, fortunate enough to be under a very conscientious and peaceful 
administration, yet, in spite of that, their numbers are diminishing. For 
comparison we may consider the fate of the Australian aborigines, and a 
close study of both groups indicates that the main causes show the same 
features. So, taken altogether, the history of primitive groups of mankind, 
the downward trend of their vitality and consequent extinction may be 
summarised as follows: (1) Extinction by weapon, in the same sense as 
many animals have been exterminated. This is, of course, now out of 
question and only of historical interest, for, in fact, all over the world 
we see the working of humanitarian bodies, as, for instance, Native Health 
Service, Mission Societies, etc. (2) Extinction by sudden changing of the 
respective milieu. (3) Extinction by imported disease. (4) Extinction by 
destruction of the natural resources necessary for the aboriginal mode of 
life. (5) Extinction by mixing. The items under Nos. 2, 3, and 4 we may 
include under one heading as ‘ Effects of Europeanisation,’ and these, under 
the modern aspects of general pathology and teachings on nutrition and 
morbidity, are of greatest importance—in fact, Europeanisation is at present 
almost the only factor to be taken into consideration. 
This paper is based on personal observations among the Eskimos of 
Labrador, on Dr. Hutton’s study of health conditions among the Eskimos 
of Labrador, on the studies of the health status of Australian Natives by 
Prof. Burton Cleland, on the study of the health status of different African 
tribes by Orr and Gilk and on the works of R. McCarrison, Coonoor, 
South India, on nutrition and disease. 
