210 CRANIA BBITANNICA. [CHAP. VI I .
numbers 15 red, 73 fair, 126 brown (we believe this would be Dr. Beddoe's dark), and 27 dark
brown, which is the hair commonly called black.
Western Ross-shire is characterized by a somewhat greater amount of both red and dark
hair. Among 195 persons observed, the colours of the hair stand thus:—31 red, 29 fair, 50
brown, 73 dark, and 12 black; whilst the colours of the eyes would be 142 light, 49 intermediate,
and 4 dark—the two latter numbers being less certain.
Lightish hair with grey or blue eyes may be considered the rule of Scotland. In no part is
this combination uncommon, while in Shetland, the Orkneys, the Outer Hebrides, Islay,
Caithness, and the west coast of Argyle it is very frequent. The low parts of Aberdeenshire
are most distinguishable for red hair. We possess a table of the observations of Dr. Beddoe
on 781 Highlanders of Argyleshire. Among these, 48 had red hair, but the index of nigrescence
was equal to 34'8.
I n any attempt to discriminate the populations of Scotland, we must be prepared to find the
same mixtm-e prevailing over extensive districts. Hence it will be needfi-ü to describe the people
with a little more latitude, rather in their compound state, as observed, than with a view to
their sources. Here again we find Dr. Mitchell, like other observers, describing two classes indicating
aboriguial proclivities. And, in order to give a faithful expression to his observations,
we shall delineate his typical men of Scotland pretty much in his own well-expressed terms,
reconecting that the portrait is ideal, whUst the features are extensively prevalent. Pirst, the
type designated by Captain Thomas " the Irish Celt." He is below average height, but of or
above average weight; big-boned, sturdy, rather squat, and not much incUned to fatness; nose
depressed at the root, broad, occasionally turned up; chin moderate; face short, roundish,
broad, flat; forehead broad, squarish, low; head of fair size, rather roiind and short; hair
abundant, of a brownish colour and inclined to curl; skin brownish or swarthy; hands and feet
broad and short. Eyes Ught hazel, and often grey, and small. Expression vivacious, gay,
carelessly indifferent; character pugnacious, flighty, and anything but matter of fact This
variety is most common iu the highlands and islands of Argyle and Inverness.
The second Celtic type, designated by Captain Thomas " the Spanish Celt," our handsome
Celt, is described by Dr. Mitchell as of average height, but rather below average weight;
skeleton fine; muscular, clean-limbed, not obese ; nose high, thin, and straight; chin pointed,
not bulky; face narrow, thin, somewhat swarthy ; forehead roundish or squarish, not low; head
of averao'e size, longish, not broad, with prominent occipital region; hair abundant, dark, wavy
rather than curly; eyes large, and usuaUy bluish or dark grey ; hands small and gracüe; feet
small, with well-arched instep; skin swarthy, inclined to olive. Expression grave, reserved,
introspective ; character brave and dashing—by habit slow and quiet, but violent and fearless
when roused. This variety is in considerable strength in the central highland districts. And
both are to be met with eveiywhere in Scotland, but are much more frequent on the west than
on the east side, and in the north-west than in the south-west, excepting the southern parts of
the shii-es of Ayr and Wigton t.
* It would probably be more correct to say that the melancholic
temperament prevails among them.
^ The similarity in the manifestations of romantic fancy
among all the remnants of the aboriginal races of our islands,
and in their superstitions, we have had occasion to allude to
before. It is strikingly perceived in the sacred wells, fairy
legends, &c. of the Irish, Cornish, Welsh, and Highland
Scotch. Dr. Mitchell has brought it out in a prominent light,
with respect to the last, in an elegant and also learned essay
" On various Superstitions in the North-west Highlands and
Islands of Scotland, especially in relation to Lunacy," Proc.
Soc. Antiq. of Scotland, vol. iv. From this pleasant opuscule
it is seen that relics of the ancient prejudices and customs
linger, and have in recent days borne fruit, even of a very re-
CHAP. VI I . ] ETHNOLOGICAL RELATIONS OE THE PRESENT POPULATION. 211
Dr. Mitchell's third tjrpe is that designated by Captain Thomas " Norse," and may be
described thus. Rather above average weight and height; bony, muscular, and not given to
obesity; nose long, straight, and weU projected; chin broad and bulky, but not heavy; face
rather broad, but not flat; eyebrows somewhat arched; forehead broad and square, not very
high; head not small, good breadth between the parietal protuberances, plenty of back head,
flattish on the top; hair abundant, straight, and light or fair in colour; hands large and
well-made, neither dumpy nor gracile; feet also large, yet not clumsy; skin fair, but not of a
very clear fairness; expression frank, matter of fact, practical, seK-possessed, deliberate;
character courageous and steady.
This variety, which will be at once recognized as it were as pathognomic, or peculiarly characteristic
of the Scotchman, and to which he owes his strength, is common over the whole of
Scotland, and embraces a large percentage of the entire population, probably 50 per cent, at the
least. It can nowhere be better seen than in the Orkney and Shetland Islands, and in Caithness,
but it is very abundant in the Lewis, in North and South Uist, in Islay, and generally in
the Outer Hebrides, and it is only a little less frequent in the west highland parishes of the
mainland. In the descriptions of these types race-features stand out preeminently. And it is the
same when we find that the men on the east coast generally are taUer and bigger than those on
the west. There is a peculiar prevalence of light hair and blue eyes among these large-limbed
and burly people.
Our means are far too slender to enable us to determine whether any physical peculiarities
distinguished the different Anglo-Saxon tribes which invaded the British Islands among themselves,
and to ascertain in what these consisted. In the interior parts of England it is considered
that the purest Anglo-Saxon blood is to be found, demonstrated by the presence of robust,
bulky people with florid complexions, light eyes and hair, and large heads. In some portions of
Oxfordshire, in Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Eastern Wiltshire *, Hampshire, and in Kent we might
expect these characteristic marks to prevail. Blue eyes are common, and the darker tints of
hair singularly rare, whilst brown is frequently met with, particularly among women. In some
of these counties the people are certainly not above the common size. In others they bear the
reputation of much obtuseness of intellect, which it seems difiicult to ascribe to defective education
alone. Among 240 persons observed in Berkshire, at Reading and the neighbourhood. Dr.
Beddoe's index of nigrescence of hail- was found to descend so low as 12-1, the percentage of
colour of eyes being 67'9 Ught, 12-9 intermediate, and 29'2 dark. Among 960 persons seen in
North WUts, a more mixed district, the index was 13-9, and the proportions of the colours of the
eyes 57-5 light, 20-2 intermediate, and 22-4 dark. In 100 of the militia and peasants of Oxfordsliire
the index was found to be 5-5, and the percentage of the coloui-s of the eyes 63' light, 9" intermediate,
and 28- dark. But in the city of Oxford itself, the seat of a much more mixed population,
the proportions are altered. Among 400 persons the index ascended to 25-2; and the colour
of the eyes was distributed thus 60- light, 13'2 intermediate, and 26-7 dark. Amongst 1200
persons inhabiting difl'erent places in the ancient kingdom of the West Saxons, viz. Southampton,
Salisbury, Wilton, Eareham, Reading, and Oxfordshire, the index of nigrescence of hair was
found to be 10-5; and the percentages of the colour of the eyes averaged 58-5 Ught, 12'3 interpulsive
nature, such as " the earding of a quik cok in the • Western Wiltshire, at one period included in the kingdom
grand" for the cure of epilepsj', in the midst of rigid presby- of Devonia, has a somewhat smaller population with darker
terian Scotland. hair.