THE POLYNESIAN FAMILY. 59 



which period they have been superseded by the Malays. The Hindoos and Indo- 

 Chinese have also contributed largely to people these islands. 



14. THE POLYNESIAN FAMILY. 



The name Polynesia has been given by geographers to all the islands in the 

 Pacific Ocean from the Ladrones to Easter Island, embracing also the Pelew^ 

 group, the Carolinas, the Sandv^ich, Friendly, Society, Navigators', Harvey's and 

 the Marquesas islands. 



The Polynesians are of the middle stature, and athletic, with small hands, 

 heavy limbs and large feet. Their faces are round, or delicately oval, and some- 

 what compressed. The nose is well formed, straight or aquiline, yet sometimes 

 spread, without, however, presenting the peculiar flatness that distinguishes the 

 Negro.* The forehead is low, but not receding ; the eyes black, bright and 

 expressive : the lips are full, and the teeth remarkably fine. Their complexion 

 varies from nearly white to olive, and from dark brown to nearly black ; but the 

 latter color is said to result chiefly from elaborate tattooing, and is particularly 

 observed in persons advanced in years.f Their hair is long, black and curling, 

 and not unfrequently more or less frizzled. 



All voyagers, however, have noticed the great disparity that exists between 

 the plebeians and the aristocratic class, as respects stature, features and complexion. 

 The privileged order is much fairer and much taller than the other ; their heads 

 are better developed, and their profile shows more regular features, including the 

 arched and aquiline nose. The indolent habits of this caste tend also to obesity, 

 which often becomes extreme after middle life.J 



The eastern groups of the Polynesian islands present the most pleasing 

 examples of this race. Thus, in the Sandwich Islands the inhabitants, who call 

 themselves Kanakas, are the most docile and imitative, and perhaps also the most 

 easy of instruction, of all the Polynesians. 



The Archipelago, called the Tonga, or Friendly Islands, is composed of 

 three groups, the Tonga, the Hapai, and the Hafaloo Islands, one hundred and 

 fifty in number, containing a vast population of the Polynesian race. " Their 

 features are very various, insomuch that it is scarcely possible to fix on any 

 general likeness by means of which to characterise them, unless it be a fulness at 



* RuscHENBERGER, Voy. Round the World, p. 454. t Porter, Voy. II, p. 14 



i Williams, Missionary Enterprises in the South Sea Islands, p. 460. 



