SECT. II.] USE OF THE HANDS. 137 



With regard to the use of the hands, it rarely occurs among 

 savage nations that they can use both hands with equal skill, 

 as is said to be the case with the Indians of Yucatan. 1 As far 

 as we know, the right hand is everywhere preferred to the left. 

 In Great Bassam (Guinea coast) the right only is used in feed- 

 ing, whilst the nails are allowed to grow long on the left hand, 

 which is used for unclean occupations. 2 The word " mara," 

 (left) signifies in the Vei-language also cc wrong, unjust/' 3 In 

 the Zulu language right and left have a similar signification. 4 

 The natives of Senegambia, as well as those of the Darien 

 isthmus, use only the right hand for eating. 5 The word 

 " molemmi" (left-handed) occurs as a name among the Beshu- 

 anas ; 6 it also applies to the ancient Peruvians, 7 whence we may 

 conclude that the right hand is used among them preferentially. 

 This is also the case among the Malays, especially among the 

 higher classes. Ladies of high birth use only the right for 

 eating and saluting (Crawfurd) . The Macassars eat with the 

 hand and wash themselves with the left. 8 From the ques- 

 tion of the Pelew Islanders, put to Captain Wilson, as to 

 which arm he used, it appears that they have a different use for 

 each arm. 9 Among the North American Indians there are but 

 few left-handed. 10 Hottentots and Bushmen appear only to be 

 able to use one of their hands with skill. 11 



As regards the perfection of the senses, civilized man is gene- 

 rally inferior to the savage, with exception, perhaps, of the 

 sense of taste, which is exercised in the variety of aliments, 

 whilst the savage merely satisfies his appetite. As the whole 

 existence of the uncivilized man depends in many cases on the 

 use of his senses, he directs his attention to minute circum- 



1 Waldeck, " Voy. pitt. dans la prov. d'Yucatan," p. 66, 1838. 



2 Hecquard, p. 46. 



8 Koelle, " Outline of a grammar of the Vei," p. 199. 



4 Doehne, " Zulu Kaffir Dictionary," p. 228, 1857. 



5 Raffenel, " Nouveau voy.," i, p. 53 ; Wafer, loc. cit., p. 127. 



6 BurcheU, ii, p. 368, 1822. 

 ' Ausland, p. 205, 1858. 



8 "Rel. dela capt.du Capit. Woodard dans 1'isle de Celebes," p. 150, 1805. 



9 Keate, " Account of the Pelew Isl.," p. 230, 1789. 



10 Say in James, " Account of an exped. from Pittsburgh to the Rocky 

 Mountains," i, p. 284, Philad. 1823. 



11 They are almost Manchot. Arbousset et Daumas, "Eel. d'un voy au 

 N. E. du Cap de B. Esp.," p. 479, 1842. 



