570 



COLOUR — MANNER PRIDE. 



Dec. 



Few engravings, or paintings, show the real expression, fea- 

 tures, or even colour of the Polynesian tribes. They give us a 

 half naked, perhaps tattowed* manor woman ; but the counte- 

 nance almost always proves the European habits of the artist. 

 The features have a European cast, quite different from the 

 original, and the colouring is generally unlike ; especially in 

 coloured engravings. 



The general complexion of both women and men is a dark, 

 coppery-brown ; but it varies from the lightest hue of copper to 

 a rich mahogany or chocolate, and in some cases almost to 

 black. The natural colour of the skin is much altered by 

 paint, dirt, and exposure. Before closing this slight description 

 of the personal appearance of the Zealanders, I must allude to 

 the remarkable shape of their teeth. In a white man the enamel 

 usually covers all the tooth, whether front or double ; but the 

 teeth of a man of New Zealand are like those of the Fuegians, 

 and at a first glance remind one of those of a horse. Either 

 they are all worn down — canine, cutting-teeth, and grinders — ^ 

 to an uniform height, so that their interior texture is quite 

 exposed, or they are of a peculiar structure.-|- 



The New Zealanders' salutation has often been talked of as 

 ' rubbing noses,' it is, in fact, touching, or crossing them ; for 

 one person gently presses the bridge of his nose across that of 

 his friend. Mr. Darwin informed me that when a woman ex- 

 pects to be saluted by a person of consequence, in the ' nose 

 pressing "* manner, she sits down and makes a droll grunting 

 noise, which is continued, at intervals, until the salute has 

 been given. 



The usual manner of the native is very inferior. Accustomed 

 to a low, wretched dwelling, and to crouching in a canoe, his 



* Amoco is the native word for the tattow marks. 



t This apparent wearing- away of the teeth is not found in the Zea- 

 landers alone. The Fuegians, Araucanians, and Society Islanders show it 

 more or less, and it is very remarkable among the natives of New Holland. 

 I have also seen some white men (Europeans) with similar teeth, but they 

 were all elderly ; whereas in some young savages I have noticed incisors 

 shaped rather like those of a horse. 



