CHAPTER V. 



THEAUSTRALIANRACE. 



The Australian may be characterized in general terms, as having 

 the complexion and features of the Negro, with hair in the place of 

 wool. 



On closer examination, however, other points of diversity are re- 

 marked : and I think it will be very generally found, that the forehead 

 does not recede as in the Negro ; an unusually deep-sunk eye giving 

 it rather the appearance of projecting. The eye, at the same time, 

 though uniformly small, is uncommonly piercing. With regard to 

 other races somewhat approximating in personal appearance, the 

 genuine hair will at all times distinguish the Australian. 



About thirty Australians came under my own observation ; who 

 neither had the lips so uniformly thick, nor the nose so much de- 

 pressed, as in the Negro: but in certain instances, both nose and mouth 

 were wider. Some individuals were of surpassing ugliness; while 

 others, contrary to all anticipation, had the face decidedly fine; and 

 several of the young women had a very pleasing expression of counte- 

 nance. The general form, though sometimes defective, seemed on the 

 average better than that of the Negro ; and I did not find the undue 

 slenderness of limb, which has been commonly attributed to the Aus- 

 tralians. Strange as it may appear, I would refer to an Australian, 

 as the finest model of the human proportions, I have ever met with ; 

 in muscular development, combining perfect symmetry, activity, and 

 strength ; while his head might have compared with an antique bust 

 of a philosopher. 



The Australian complexion appeared to me fully as dark as that of 

 the Negro ; but I did not institute a critical comparison, neither did I 

 see the two races in company. The hair seemed rather coarse, and 

 instead of being perfectly straight, was usually undulating, or even 



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