Characteristics of the Ainos. 12 Y 



influence of more intimate contact with civilizing influ- 

 ences. Whatever the cause, however, the result is a total 

 disappearance of that extreme uncouthness which so 

 impresses the stranger when first brought in contact with 

 a Yezoine. The latter, however, are capable of the same 

 change, as is amply proved by those Ainos of the Ishikari 

 tribe, who spent some time at the Tokio schools. In their 

 case, the removal of accumulated dirt and unkempt beard 

 and hair, did much to reveal, in a fair skin and intelligent 

 face, the natural good qualities they possessed. 



One peculiarity which at once distinguishes the Saghalien 

 Aino from the Yezoine, is the greater absence of beards, nor 

 do they appear to have so hairy bodies generally. I have 

 frequently seen Saghalien Ainos divested of their clothing, 

 and their bodies were in no case more hairy than those of 

 Europeans, and it seems highly probable that the great dif- 

 ference in hairiness, between these people and the Yezoines, 

 is to be ascribed to their different conditions of life ; the 

 Saghalien usually being provided with plenty of warm cloth- 

 ing, furs, etc., while the Yezoine makes little or no change 

 between his summer and winter clothing. 



The skin is quite light and may very properly be com- 

 pared witn that of the Caucasian, the hue of which it very 

 closely resembles. The foreheads are high but narrow, in 

 some cases conspicuously so. The carriage of the men is 

 active, and their general bearing and facial expression 

 denote an intelligence much superior to that of the Yezo- 

 jnes ; in fact, if we are to measure their mental ability by 

 their achievements, then the Saghaliens must certainly be 

 accounted the superior, for since their residence in Yezo 

 they have applied themselves with success to various pur- 

 suits, including silk-weaving, boot-making, tanning, harness- 

 making and several other industries in which the Yezo 

 Aino does not or cannot engage. One or two have also 

 become petty officials in the agricultural bureau, showing 

 that they have capacities capable of improvement and 

 expansion. 



As one first encounters the Aino, their general appear- 

 ance is by no means calculated to produce a favorable 



