THE POLAR FAMILY. 51 



appearance and manner, among the most repulsive of the human species : yet they 

 possess considerable differences, which will he best considered geographically. 



At the northwestern extremity of Europe are the Laplanders^ who, by pretty 

 general consent, have been enumerated with the Polar family, although their 

 dialect is more closely allied to the Finnish than to any other. They have the 

 flat face and diminutive stature of the Samoyedes ; but their hair is brown, their 

 cheeks hollow and their eyes gray. Their complexion varies from yellowish to 

 dark brown. " Their manner of life renders them hardy, agile and supple, but at 

 the same time much inclined to laziness. They have plain common sense, are 

 peaceable, and obedient to their superiors."* In their dealings, however, they are 

 described as mistrustful and given to cheating. 



The Ostiaks present a remarkable example of a nation composed of three 

 great communities, each of which dijffers in customs and language from the others : 

 of these the northern horde is of Samoyede extraction, while the southern is allied 

 to the Finns. They are of the middle stature, with a pale, yellowish complexion, 

 harsh, dark hair, together with the ordinary exterior of the Polar race. They are 

 of the phlegmatic temperament, timid, indolent and uncleanly in their habits, yet 

 of docile disposition, and possessed of much natural kindness. In common with 

 most of the cognate tribes, they have reduced their women to the condition of 

 slaves.f 



The Samoyedes call themselves Chosova^ which merely means men. They 

 inhabit the frozen margin of Asia from the 65th degree of north latitude to the 

 sea shore, and extend also into Europe. These people are seldom more than five 

 feet high. "They seem all of a heap; have short legs, small neck, a large head, flat 

 nose and face, with the lower part of the face projecting outwards: they have large 

 mouths and ears, little black eyes, but wide eyelids, small lips and little feet. "J 

 The women reach maturity early, and are often mothers at twelve years of age. 

 They are more savage than the Ostiaks, and extremely indifferent on all those 

 subjects that excite the feelings of other people. 



The Tungusians rove the deserts which extend from the Yenisei eastward to 

 the ocean. Their features resemble those of the other families of this race ; but 

 their complexion is fresh, and their women are said to be of agreeable appearance 

 and manner. The men have a hoarse voice, and possess sight and hearing in 

 perfection, with a singular obtuseness of the organs of touch and smell.^ They 



* TooKE, Russia, I, p. 5. t Tooke, Russia, &c., I, p. 178.— Pallas, Voy. IV, p. 52. 



J Ibid. Ill, p. 12. § Ibid. Ill, p. 77. 



