78 CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 



a great variety of figure. Among them the chiefs are tall, well-made, 

 and muscular ; while the lower orders manifest the meagerness arising 

 from laborious service and scanty nourishment. Their complexion 

 lies, in general, between that of the black and copper-coloured races, 

 although instances of both extremes are to be met with, thus indicat- 

 ing a descent from two different stocks. One of these, the copper- 

 coloured, is no doubt the same as that whence the Tongese are 

 derived.* 



None of them equal the natives of Tonga in beauty of person. 

 The faces of the greater number are long, with a large mouth, good 

 and well-set teeth, and a well-formed nose. Instances, however, are 

 by no means rare, of narrow and high foreheads, fiat noses, and thick 

 lips, with a broad short chin ; still, they have nothing about them of 

 the negro type. Even the frizzled appearance of the hair, which is 

 almost universal, and which at first sight seems a distinct natural 

 characteristic, I was, after a long acquaintance with their habits, 

 inclined to ascribe to artificial causes. Besides the long bushy 

 beards and mustaches, which are always worn by the chiefs, they 

 have a great quantity of hair on their bodies. This, with the peculiar 

 proportion between their thighs and the calf of their legs, brings 

 them nearer to the whites, than any of the Polynesian races visited 

 by us. 



The eyes of the Feejeeans are usually fine, being black and pene- 

 trating. Some, however, have them red and bloodshot, which may 

 probably be ascribed to ava drinking. 



The expression of their countenances is usually restless and watch- 

 ful ; they are observing and quick in their movements. 



The hair of the boys is cropped close, while that of the young girls 

 is allowed to grow. In the latter it is to be seen naturally arranged in 

 tight cork-screw locks, many inches in length, which fall in all direc- 

 tions from the crown of the head. The natural colour of the hair of 

 the girls can hardly be ascertained, for they are in the habit of acting 

 upon it by lime and pigments, which make it white, red, brown, or 

 black, according to the taste of the individual. Mr. Drayton procured 

 a very correct camera lucida drawing of a girl about sixteen years of 

 age, which will give the reader a better idea of the females of that age 

 than any description : she is represented in the cut. 



* The question of the origin of the Feejeeans will be found ably illustrated in the report 

 of our philologist, Mr. Hale. 



