THE MALAY RACE. 



115 



JMICRONESIANS. 



After leaving California, the vessels of the Squadron proceeded 

 again to the Havi-aiian Islands ; and on the 27th of November, re- 

 sumed their course to the w^estward. 



I have already in the account of the coral islands, spoken of tribes 

 which, from the affinities of language, should perhaps be referred to 

 the Micronesians. Most of the widely scattered Caroline Islands 

 are equally composed of coral ; Oualan and Ascension, forming the 

 principal exceptions. 



The accordance of all published figures and descriptions, leaves no 

 room for doubt as to the physical race of the inhabitants : especially 

 as such a careful observer as Chamisso, unites the Radack and 

 Caroline Islanders with the Polynesians. Choris, who accompanied 

 Chamisso, has given a figure of a Caroline Islander ; and it so mi- 

 nutely corresponds with one of those taken by Mr. Agate at De- 

 peyster Island (in the Vaitupan Group), as to lead to a suspicion that 

 the two natives were countrymen. 



Belts of banana fibre, "from the islands of Egoy and Ascension," 

 were obtained by the Expedition ; and they indicate a more refined 

 state of the arts, than the Tarawan, Polynesian, or even the Feejeean 

 manufactures. The reported use at the Caroline Islands, of " a sort 

 of compass," is a point deserving further inquiry. 



Lieut. Knox, in the schooner, visited W Kmzie! s Island; a clustered 

 coral island, situated between the Pelew and Marian Groups. He 

 found the inhabitants " resembling the Caroline Islanders; but having 

 their teeth much discoloured, apparently from the use of betel." 



The western limit of the Micronesians, remains uncertain ; and 

 from the descriptions of Morrell and Jacobs, there is even reason to 

 suspect their presence on the north coast of New Guinea. 



I saw the two natives, from islands in the vicinity of the Admi- 

 ralty Group, who were brought to the United States several years 

 ago by Captain Morrell. One of them belonged evidently to the 

 Malay race; but in place of the openness and simplicity of the Poly- 

 nesians, he possessed rather the East Indian temperament. He was 

 younger than his companion, and less skilful in throwing the javelin ; 

 and I observed also, that he was unacquainted with the proper manner 

 of holding a pen-knife. I do not remember any marks of tattooing. 



