166 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



from mulattoes not only in the expression of countenance, but in the 

 hair ; which so far as observed, was hardly distinguishable from that 

 of Europeans. I thought at first that they had not a thriving appear- 

 ance, but this had not been remarked by residents. They, like the 

 Feejee children, are very generally subject to the ' dthoke ;' a peculiar 

 eruptive disease, which for a time disfigures them exceedingly; but 

 after getting through, they were said to be healthy enough. The 

 same affection to all appearance, has been mentioned in the accounts 

 of the more western groups; but so far as at present known, it does 

 not extend beyond the islands inhabited by the Papuan race. 



The alleged non-susceptibility of the syphilitic virus, must rest on 

 the authority of residents. These likevvise asserted, that the women 

 live apart during child-bearing until the period of weaning ; a fact 

 having an important bearing on the existence of polygamy. On the 

 other hand, it was said, that in war-time, the men will sometimes re- 

 main separate from their wives for years together. 



The son of the Muthuata chief was found to be nearsighted, a 

 novelty to us, among the natives of the South Sea islands; though 

 examples of the opposite fault of vision had been remarked in 

 elderly Polynesians. He vi^as greatly surprised at the improvement 

 produced by spectacles; which were now first made known to the 

 Feejeeans. The Muthuata queen was disposed to corpulency, a rare 

 circumstance among the Feejeeans. I did not meet with an instance 

 of a defective tooth. 



At Rewa, I saw a dwarf, who had been carried to the United States; 

 but the disparity in stature was not very remarkable ; and an ordinary 

 Feejeean would probably have excited more curiosity. I have also 

 heard of a lad who was brought to the United States ; but he was 

 soon sent away ; and I did not ascertain his subsequent history. 



Several Albinoes were enumerated by residents ; and I am inclined 

 to think that they occur more frequently in the Papuan race, than in 

 any other. I saw one of them ; a man, whose complexion was even 

 fairer than that of Europeans when equally exposed to the sun, but 

 was not free from brownish specks. The iris was blue, without any 

 perceptible tinge of red ; and he had his brows always knit, as if 

 affected by the light. The hair was not white, but flaxen ; and on 

 my second visit, he had changed it to coal-black, according to the 

 fashion of the country, and made a very odd appearance. An excel- 

 lent portrait of him was taken by Mr. Agate. 



In other parts of the globe, instances of cannibalism have oc- 



