Z3& R E M A R K S , o n t h e
v a r i e - p e c u l i a r t o e v e r y c o u n t r y w e h a v e v i f i t e d , a n d t h e n e n d e a v o u r t o
T I E S OF
m e n . enumerate their various and probable caufes.
We chiefly obferved two great varieties o f people in the South
Seas ; the one more fair, well limbed, tathletic, o f a. fine fize,
and a kind benevolent temper; the other, blacker, the hair juft-
beginning to become woolly and crifp, the body more flender and
low, and their temper, i f poffible more briflc, though fomewhat
miftruftful. T h e firft race inhabits O-Taheitee, and the Society
Ifles, the Marquefas, the Friendly Ifles, Eafter-Ifland, and N ew -
Zeeland. T h e fecond race peoples New-Caledonia, Tanna, and
the New Hebrides, efpecially Mallicollo. T h e Pefherais, are not
I think, to be ranked among the natives o f the South Sea, as it is
not to be doubted, that they originally came to Tierra del Fuego,
from the American continent. Each o f the above two races o f men,
is again divided into feveral varieties, which form the gradations
towards the other race ; fo that we find fame o f the firft race almoft as
black and flender as fome o f the fecond ; and in this fecond race are
fome ftrong, athletic figures, which may almoft vie with the firft ;
however, as we have many good reafons for comprehending in one
tribe all the-iflanders enumerated under the firft race; we could
not help giving to all a general charadter, from which, on account
o f the extent and compafs, wherein thefe nations are difperfed,
the outlkirts or extremes mull deviate.
Firji,
H U M A . N S P E C I E S. 2 2 9 -
I. Firji. O - T a h e i t e e , and the adjacent Sqciety-Ifles, no
doubt contain the moil beautiful variety o f the firft race : but even
here nature, feems to follow that richnefs, luxuriance, and variety,,
which we have obferved in its vegetation;: it.is. not confined to a
finale type or model. T h e common people are moil expofed to air
and fun; they, do all kinds o f dirty work ; they exert their ftrength
ip, agriculture, fiihing; paddling, building o f houfes and canoes;.
and laftly, they are Hinted in their food; From thefe caufes, they
degenerate as it were towards the fecond race, but always preferve
feme remains of their original type ; which, in their chiefs or Arees,
and the better fort of people, appears in its full luftre and perfection.
T h e colour o f their ikin is lefs tawny than that of a Spaniard,
and not fo coppery as that o f an American; it is o f a lighter
tint than the faireft complexion of an inhabitant of the Eaft-Indian
iflands ; in a word, it is o f a white, tindtured with a browniih yellow,
however not fo ftrongly mixed, but that on the cheek o f the
faireft of their women, you may eafily diftinguilh a fpreading blufh.
From this complexion we find all the intermediate hues down to a
lively brown, bordering upon the fwarthy complexion of the fecond
race. Their hair is commonly black, ftrong, naturally falling in
the mod beautiful ringlets, and fhining with the perfumed coconut
oil. I faw but few with yellowbh-brown or fandy hair, and
often no more than the extremities were yellowiih, and the roots
p f
V A R I E T
I E S OP
MENfc