CHAPTER VI. 



THE PAPUAN RACE. 



The term ' Papuan,' notwithstanding some ambiguity, may be 

 conveniently applied to a race of robust blacks; of whom the only 

 examples I have seen (with probably one exception), have been the 

 natives of the Feejee Islands. 



So far as my observation extends, the Papuan race differs from the 

 rest of mankind in one remarkable physical peculiarity, the hardness 

 or harshness of the skin. This point long since attracted the atten- 

 tion of those Tonga people,* from whom Mariner derived his accu- 

 rate notices of the Feejee Islands. It is proper to add, that I have 

 not examined the quality of the skin in the Negrillo race. 



The hair of the Papuan is in great quantity, is naturally frizzled and 

 bushy, and so coarse as to be rather wiry than woolly. When dressed 

 according to the Feejee fashion, it forms a resisting mass, and offers 

 no slight protection against the blow of a club. I have had occasion 

 to remark that it actually incommoded the wearer when lying down ; 

 and to this circumstance, rather than to any foppery, I am disposed 

 to attribute the origin of the wooden neck-pillow. The beard does 

 not appear to grow so long, or to cover so large a portion of the face 

 as in tlie White race ; but the Papuan exceeds the remaining races, 

 in the quantity of beard. 



The complexion is of a deeper shade than in the Malay race ; but 

 is much the same as in the Bengalee or Telingan. The features 

 in many respects resemble those of the Negro, but the lips are not 

 quite so thick, and the nose is somewhat more prominent; while a 

 very general elongation of the face imparts a different aspect. I did 

 not meet with a really fine head among the Feejeeans ; but the coun- 

 tenance was often grave and peculiarly impressive; and I had frequent 



* See Mariner's Tonga Islands. 



