344 



AUSTRALASIA. 



both sexes are artificially deformed, the object being to elongate that of the boys 

 and shorten that of the girls. Tattooing has become rare, and is scarcely practised 

 at all except by the women, who puncture arms and chest by a painful process, 

 which leaves an indelible blue pattern. The custom of smearing the body with 

 soot is also falling into abeyance according as clothes take the place of the primi- 

 tive rudimentary costume. 



Patriarchal right prevails among the IS'ew Caledonian tribes. All power and 



Fia:. 147. — New Caledonian Man. 



property are inherited by the eldest son whether by birth or adoption ; but although 

 the idea of property is thoroughly developed, custom requires all produce to be 

 shared in a brotherly way amongst the members of the community. When 

 provisions abound, all, even the dead, have their portion ; the emigrant also 

 presents all his earnings to the chief to be equally distributed throughout the 

 tribe. But amongst the tribes themselves there exists scarcely any political union ; 



