518 
ON THE ABORIGINES 
Then again the Mnndrucus, like the Dyaks, take the 
heads of their enemies, smoke-dry them with eqnal care, 
preserving the skin and hair entire, and hang them np 
around their houses. In Australia the throwing-stick is 
used ; and, on a remote branch of the Amazon, we see 
a tribe of Indians differing from all around them, in 
substituting for the bow a weapon only found in such a 
remote portion of the earth, among a people differing 
from them in almost every physical character. 
It will be necessary to obtain much more information 
on this subject, before we can venture to decide whether 
such similarities show any remote connection between 
these nations, or are mere accidental coincidences, pro- 
duced by the same wants, acting upon people subject to 
the same conditions of climate and in an equally low 
state of civilization ; and it offers additional matter for 
the wide-spreading speculations of the ethnographer. 
The main feature in the personal character of the In- 
dians of this part of South America, is a degree of dif- 
fidence, bashfulness, or coldness, which affects all their 
actions. It is this that produces their quiet deliberation, 
their circuitous way of introducing a subject they have 
come to speak about, talking half an hour on different 
topics before mentioning it : owing to this feeling, they 
will run away if displeased, rather than complain, and 
will never refuse to undertake what is asked them, even 
when they are unable or do not intend to perform it. 
It is the same peculiarity which causes the men never 
to exhibit any feeling on meeting after a separation ; 
though they have, and show, a great affection for their 
children, whom they never part with ; nor^an they be in- 
