6 
MENTAL AKD PHYSICAI, CAPACITY. 
the front teetB is also common among the natives of the 
Pagi Islands on the west coast of Suinatra, and the 
custom of discolouring the hair prevails among the 
natives of Timor-laut, Baba^ and Scrmattaa, who are 
essentially members of the brown race in their general 
characteristics, some doubts may reasonably be entertained 
as to whether these are purely Papuan customs. 
The Papuans, when placed in circumstances favourable 
for the development of their powers, are physically 
superior to the races of South-eastern Asia. Some of 
the New Guinea tribes would bear a comparison, in 
point of stature and proportions, with the races of 
Europe, were it not for the deficiency about the lower 
extremities which has beeu already noticed. Even the 
more diminutive mountain tribes are remarkable for 
energy and agiUty — -qualities which have led to their 
being in great demand as slaves among their more 
civilized neighbom*s. With regard to mental capacity, 
also, they are certainly not inferior to the browTi races; 
but their impatience of control while in an independent 
state utterly precludes that organization which would 
enable them to stand their ground against encroach- 
ment ; and they invariably fall under the influence of the 
Malayans whenever the two races are brought into 
contact. 
This want of organization renders it extremely unsafe 
for strangers to \'isit independent tribes, for although the 
majority may be peacefully inclined, some individuals 
among them are nearly certain to be turbulent, and 
inclined for mischief, if not restrained by their com- 
panions. The struggles that take place on these occa- 
