THE KINGS MILL ISLANDERS. 



87 



dred years since. But, so estranged have the inhabitants of the 

 several islands become from each other, that if a canoe from one of 

 them should visit, or seek, through distress, another island, the 

 persons in it would in all probability be put to death, under the 

 supposition of their being spies, or in order to procure their bones 

 and teeth for the manufacture of ornaments. 



The islanders of this group differ in their personal traits from those 

 of Polynesians, and more nearly resemble the Malays. Their colour 

 is a dark copper, a shade or two deeper than the Tahitian; they are 

 of the middle size, well made, and slender. Their hair is fine, black, 

 and glossy ; the nose slightly aquiline, but a little broad at the base ; 

 the mouth is large, with full lips and small teeth ; the cheek bones 

 project forward, so as to give the eyes the appearance of being sunken ; 

 their beards and mustaches are black and fine like their hair. Their 

 average height is about five feet eight inches, and the great majority 

 would be called small men. The women are much smaller in pro- 

 portion than the men, with delicate features, slight figures, and, as 

 before remarked, they were generally thought pretty. 



In this description, it will be necessary to remark, that the inhabi- 

 tants of Makin are not included; for they differ so much in point 

 of appearance from the others, that were it not for their manners, 

 customs, and language, they could not be classed among the same 

 race. A drawing of one is represented in the annexed engraving. 



INHABITANT OF MAKIN. 



Wood, who had lived among the latter people a long time, 

 accounted for their difference in appearance by their being at all 

 times abundantly supplied with food, and living an inactive life, with 



