Newman.—On Causes leading to the Extinction of the Maori. 473 
the race. Galton has demonstrated the infertility of aristocracies whose 
members married only with each other. These, and a host of other autho- 
tities, show that any race of man which breeds in and in, becomes more 
and more infertile, and the scanty progeny more and more sickly and likely 
to perish. 
When the Maoris came here several centuries ago, they were probably 
not quite a pure race, but were Malays with an infusion of Papuan blood. 
This infusion of Papuan blood can, I think, be traced to this day, appearing 
every now and then amongst their lower classes. Arriving in a fresh and 
more invigorating climate than that to which they had been used, and 
finding the supplies of food abundant and easily got, their fertility increased 
by this slight cross with the Papuans; it was no wonder they multiplied 
tapidly, but the Papuan blood being only in small quantity, and always 
shunned and despised, was soon an insignificant quantity, and the Malay 
blood became purer and purer. As the Maoris spread over these islands 
_ and divided themselves into tribes, living far apart, usually at war with each 
other, breeding in and in was almost a necessity, and hence, as I believe, 
the chief cause of the barrenness of the race. 
Though I am free to admit the existence of other, yet I feel sure that 
this is the chief cause. It has been alleged that early promiscuity on the 
part of very young Maori women is the chief cause, but though certainly 
an important item, it is not the chief, and is not more common now than 
formerly, “Alcohol and tobacco are also credited as evil agents, but for 
these no proof exists. Syphilis has been blamed by many, but seeing how 
very slightly it has affected the race there is no evidence to show that it has 
at all decreased the fertility of the race. On the other hand, I believe that 
the frequency of the milder form of lues venerea has by its frequency and 
Severity been a frequent cause of sterility in both sexes by inflammation of 
‘obliteration of the passage through the Fallopian tubes. In exceptional 
ses I think that the introduction of horses has caused abortion. Some 
_ allege that hard work produces this infertility, but though it may aid, it 
fannot be an impottant factor, for Maori women have always had to work 
- aes carry heavy burdens, even in past times when the race was fertile. 
_ “te Maoris thought that all sterility was due to the females, and dis- 
aid the abundant proof that many men were always childless, no 
Matter how many wives they took. Fo rmerly if | 
® took another mate for that ‘reason ) 
and subsequent stricture and closure of the various ducts, and especially 
