race, I think it is very difficult to accept the statement. I do not think the 
author of the paper would say that in the condition in which the Papuans are 
they have the ability or capacity to elaborate or construct a language consisting 
of verbs, adjectives, pronouns, and so on. We are told that the Sawaiori people 
have sunk or fallen ; but we are not told that the Papuans have sunk, although 
the fact is that they have sunk more than the Sawaioris. Neither do 1 think 
that they represent the primitive type of mankind. On the contrary, I think 
the primitive type was a different stock altogether, and that as the people went 
off from the primitive race they degenerated, losing all connection with their 
ancestors. They did not lose their language, but they lost many things which 
they possessed at the outset. I should like to know what meaning the author 
of the paper attaches to the term “ primitive type,’ 5 and whether he supposes 
that the people of that “ primitive type ” were equal to the construction of 
such a language as that of which he has spoken ? 
Mr. Whitmee. — I may say briefly that in the passage referred to I only 
quote Mr. Wallace’s words; and I go on to say — “In the main I take Mr. 
Wallace’s view ” ; but on that point I do not take his view. 
Rev. J. Duller. — Does the author of the paper intend to indicate the 
extent of Christianity in New Zealand by the map which is exhibited ? 
Mr. Whitmee. — I do not touch New Zealand. My map was prepared 
chiefly to illustrate missionary addresses. In speaking on missionary matters 
my subject is Polynesia, and I do not mention New Zealand, not having 
made that country a special study. 
Rev. J. Buller. — I am obliged to the author of the paper for that answer ; 
but as I happen to have had a long residence in New Zealand I 
should like to say a word or two. The Maories of New Zealand, who are a 
very important branch of the Sawaiori race, do most certainly believe in the 
perpetual existence of their departed relatives, although they do not offer 
worship to them. Many of them have the art of ventriloquism, and without 
intending it they do, by means of that art, impose on the people generally. 
With respect to the intellectual capacity of the Sawaiorian race, I may say 
that some years ago, when I was voyaging from Sydney to Auckland with 
Captain Markham and other naval officers, while sitting at the saloon table 
one day, a question arose with respect to Tongatapu, and I heard Captain 
Markham say that he had been to the college under the care of my friend Mr. 
Moulton, and he said, — “You will hardly give me credence : I am astonished 
at the progress of those boys, not merely in mental arithmetic, but in the 
higher branches of geometry. I do not think I could have surpassed some of 
them myself.” This, I think, is a good testimony to the quality of mind 
possessed by those natives for acquiring the higher branches of learning. I 
might, if there were time, add other cases. 
Mr. Moulton. — May I ask why Mr. Whitmee did not include New 
Zealand in Polynesia ? 
Mr. Whitmee. — I use the term to include all the islands in the inter- 
tropical regions, and New Zealand being out of the tropics I did not include 
it. I think it would be more naturally included under Australasia. 
