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H. J. T. BIJLMER 



force to blowing. Characteristic also was the way, in which they asked me to be measured t 

 always blowing they made measuring gestures on arms and legs, so it was clear chat they 

 combined my measurements with medicine. Probably this explains the following observations. 

 Gradually we hâve come to my anthropological occupations. It was astonïshing, how 

 kindly disposed most of the Timorini let themselves place against the measure-pole, and how 



little résistance they offered to the really disagreeable 

 opérations with the callipers. A row of beads appear- 

 ed to be a sufficient reward for their patience and 

 willingness. They even asked to be measured, and 

 nearly ail the neighbouring people hâve had their 

 turn. As for photographing, they were apparently less 

 at ease. As a rule, the men soon yielded, but the 

 women wanted some time to lose their timidity. 

 Even if I succeeded in making some snapshots, it 

 was an ungrateful task to make anthropological pho- 

 to's, consisting of portraits of every person in four 

 poses. That was asking too much from their patience,, 

 and moreover we could not make them understand 

 that for thèse photo's it was absolutely necessary 

 to stand quite still. The making of hand- and foot- 

 prints met with great difficulties, as may easily be 

 explained ; hère, they savv something of themselves 

 that remained in our possession. Only a few of the 

 men could be persuaded to undergo this manipulation. 

 Finally, the taking of hair-samples checked at unsur- 

 mountable difficulties. That I should take with me 

 a part of their own body was more than could be 

 allowed. Often I tried gently to obtain a little lock of hair, but always in vain. But at last I 

 seemed to hâve luck. I succeeded in exchanging against iocks of my own hair five locks or 

 as many indigènes. But alas, some hours later, one of the five came back to ask emphatically 

 for his hair; if necessary he would even pay for it. After some minutes, the others joined 

 in the request and then it became quite évident that for my friends' tranquillity of mind I 

 had better restore to them the material I had conquered with so much difficulty. After this- 

 experience I gave up the idea of making a collection of hair-samples. 





Fig. 14. Timorini women befoie the lens 



SOME PSYCHICAL OBSERVATIONS. 



The description of the physical peculiarities made us enter already into the field of the 

 psyché ; let us try to explore this more thoroughly. In our days it will be an exception to- 

 find an opportunity of making the acquaintance of a group of men, wholly untouched by 

 the influence of modem civilisation. The psychical condition of those peoples highly deserves- 

 attention. What does us strike most in it? That it is less extraordinary than we should 

 imagine! The savages we meet with, are men, just men. In principle they hâve with the beast 



