112 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



A lad " purchased in the Shoshonee or Snake country, had been 

 brought by the way of Oregon," to Captain Sutter's residence. I did 

 not distinguish him among his new companions; but I am unpre- 

 pared to speak decisively of the physical race, from this single in- 

 stance. Mr. Geiger, who had visited the Shoshonee country, was of 

 opinion " that the people should be associated with the Californians." 

 A tribe inhabiting the same quarter, has been described as "orna- 

 menting their persons with white streaks;" which is another point in 

 favour of the reference. 



In regard, however, to the Southern Californians, there is no am- 

 biguity, if we may depend on the concurrent testimony of all visiters. 

 The figures of them, by Venegas, also confirm the identity in physi- 

 cal race with their northern brethren. 



b. Mexico and the West Indies. 



I have already spoken of a Mexican, from the province of So?iora, 

 who was seen at San Francisco. In personal appearance, he was so 

 similar to the Polynesians, that I should not have suspected any claims 

 to European descent. 



In coming from the United States, Mr. Marsh passed through New 

 Mexico. The route led from Santa Fe to Chihuahua ; thence to 

 Casas Grandes (a place celebrated in the aboriginal history of Mex- 

 ico), and along the River Gila to the Colorado, and afterwards by 

 the coast. He spoke of extensive ruins. " The population through- 

 out, was chiefly of the aboriginal stock ; in some districts wild and 

 hostile, in others civilized and very numerous. He crossed nothing 

 like a ridge of mountains, although hills and mountains were fre- 

 quently in sight. He found the country in general, excessively arid ; 

 yet many places afforded sustenance for herds of cattle. Cacti 

 abounded ; and a certain species, if cut in a particular manner, 

 affords drink for the suffering traveller. In one district, a sort of 

 armour was used in riding, for the protection of man and horse 

 against the rigid and thorny vegetation." 



The Rev. Mr. Chamberlain, of the Hawaiian mission, had visited 

 Acapulco ; where he " was struck with the resemblance of the natives 

 to the Polynesians," in contradistinction to the aboriginals of the 

 United States. Basil Hall too, speaks of a ' Malay type' among the 



