16 Transactions.—Miscellaneous. 
energies ; but the reverse of this must be the case with Saumatoa, Mar- 
quesas, Society and Navigators’ Islands ; while the climate of the Sandwich 
Islands must approach much more nearly to that of the latter, than to that 
of New Zealand. 
So far, then, I think it may be taken as a matter of general agreement 
that the native race of New Zealand have, on the whole, much more marked 
resemblance to those populations grouped under the name of Polynesia, 
than they have to the Negrito or Papuan peoples. It remains, however, to 
be shewn whether they have any nearer connexion with these Islands than 
may be fairly assumed from the broad differences between the black Negro 
and the yellow Malay ; and, further, whether, admitting this one physical 
resemblance between them and the Malays, there is any reason to suppose 
them the descendants of a Malay colony, who might have found their way 
to New Zealand six or seven centuries ago. 
It is right that I should state, in limine, that some writers, as Dr. 
Dieffenbach, and, to some extent, Mr. Thomson* also, have maintained that 
there are two distinct races in New Zealand, the yellow-brown and by far 
the most numerous, but, besides these, a much darker skinned people ; and 
have assumed that these two classes are descendants of two original stocks, 
the darker being the original. Later examination has not, however, as it 
Seems to me, confirmed this view ; besides it is scarcely probable that had 
there been, at any time, a considerable infusion of a Negrito population, 
they would not have left behind them some other traces of their former 
presence, than merely a certain number of darker skinned people, with hair 
differing in quality from that found among the majority of the population. 
I shall recur to this theory, presently. 
Now there are various ways in which such an inquiry as I am 
proposing might be carried out, independently of what are called ‘ Race- 
characteristics,” such as the recognition of a similarity or peculiarity of 
customs, manners, etc., prevailing through all or most of the leading 
Polynesian groups, but which are found less universally, or not at all, else- 
where ;—or, the unity or difference of dialects among the islanders. To 
each of these, especially the latter, I shall refer at some length hereafter. 
But I must notice first, a new view of the “ whence ” of the Maoris, which 
eo sce i my oY 
ue S SeCeRORS nt PRM - 43. T. Thomson ; because, if his theory 
— , can, hardly, be any longer considered as a 
* Mr. Colenso, I observe, 
asserts that the Maoris are not Polynesi 
sot ee sians, but I do not see 
that he has given any very strong reasons for this opini . 
on. 
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