Sullivan — Tongaii Somatology 249 



The eyes of Tongans as a group are less wide open than are the eyes of 

 Caucasian peoples. The types illustrated in Nos. 3, 4, 5, and 6 in Plate xxxvi, A, 

 are most common. They are characterized by being placed somewhat obliquely 

 with just a suggestion of an epicanthic fold, and by a slightly thickened and 

 bevelled lower lid. No. 8 has a well-marked epicanthic fold and No. 7 a definite 

 trace of it. 



The nose of the Tongan is worthy of some detailed description and com- 

 parison. As judged by the standard of the European nose the nasal bridge of 

 Tongans cannot be said to be highly arched. (See PI. xxxviii, A and B.) 

 It is prevailingly of medium or low elevation from the face. The nostrils are some- 

 what oval in shape with the long axis tending to run in an oblique or transverse 

 direction. 



Although, as expressed by the nasal index, the Tongan has what is usually 

 termed a moderately broad or mesorrhine nose, yet by absolute measurement the 

 nasal width is exceeded only by that of a few Negroid groups. (See Pis. 

 XXXVI and xxxix.) In Table IV I have given some comparative data on the 

 range of the nasal index for given widths of nose. It is not at all unusual to find 

 groups with identical nasal widths varying by 20 points in nasal index. This 

 leads me to believe that unless the absolute diameters are somewhat nearly alike in 

 two groups a correspondence in nasal index should not be taken too seriously. The 

 enormous proportions of the Tongan (and also of the Samoan) nose are approached 

 only by certain American Indian groups. The Tongans, the Samoans, the Chip- 

 pewa Indians, the Egyptians, the Ilokos, the Kirghez, the Khotan, and the Polish 

 Jews have nasal indices averaging from 72.6 to 78.0. Does it follow that their 

 noses are very similar? Not at all. In some cases the low nasal index is the 

 result of the great height of the nose and in spite of the great width. This is true 

 of the Tongans, Samoans, and Chippewa Indians. In the others it is due to the 

 fact that the noses are of moderate width and height. So it seems that the use of 

 the nasal index should at least be supplemented by absolute measurements. 



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