18G7.] The Polynesians and their Migrations. 1C3 



drifted canoes has been from east to west, before the prevailing 

 trade winds, and not from west to east before the westerly winds ; 

 during the prevalence of which he tells us the natives do not 

 usually venture out on fishing or travelling expeditions. In this 

 case, too, the corroborative proof by language completely fails, for 

 though there is an undoubted Malay element in the Polynesian 

 language, it is an element derived from the civilized Malay and 

 Javanese tongues, not from those of the Moluccas, which are totally 

 distinct. 



It is to be noted also that this Malay element in the language 

 has all the character of a recent introduction, since the Malay 

 words are hardly changed, except by the phonetic character of the 

 language which has received them. 



2. Physical Characters. — The Malayan origin of the Polynesians 

 at a comparatively recent date implies much physical similarity; 

 for even if the Malay formed a still larger portion of the 

 Polynesian language than it does, this would not prove a com- 

 munity of race, unless the physical characters also in some degree 

 corresponded. It is here that we find an absolute defect of all 

 evidence bearing upon the point in question — the similarity of the 

 Polynesians to any race speaking the Malay language. Almost the 

 only evidence adduced by M. Quatrefages goes to show the similarity 

 of the brown race of Timor to those of Polynesia. But the Timorese 

 are not Malays at all ; they belong to that curious race which has 

 close affinities to the Papuan in all moral and physical characteristics 

 except colour, and their languages are much further removed from 

 the Malay than even the Polynesian itself. The resemblance phy- 

 sically of this race with the Polynesian proves absolutely nothing 

 with regard to the Malay question. 



Now let us compare the most important and thoroughly 

 well-established physical and mental characteristics of the two 

 races : — 



Polynesians. Malays. 



Tall, averaging — Short — 



5 ft. 10 in. . . Wilkes fSainoans). 5 ft. 4 in. or 5 ft. 6 in. 



6 ft. . . Dupurey (Tahiti). 



Hair wavy, curly, or frizzly. Hair always straight 



Beard often full. Beard scanty or none. 



Face handsome, European type. Face never of European type. 



Nose often aquiline. Nose never aquiline. 



Disposition active and joyous. Disposition slow and morose. 



Character open and frank. Character eminently secretive. 



Often erected stone edifices. Never used stone for building. 



Use double canoes. Use single canoes. 



In the following passages from Consul Hopkins' recent work on 

 Hawai, the italicized passages show points in which the Polynesian 

 is the exact opposite of the Malay : — 



"The hair of the Hawaians is black or brown, strong, and 

 frequently curly." 



m 2 



