might otherwise belong to it. The details of
this subject will naturally commence with Siam,
the earliest object of inquiry.
The Siamese are one of the most considerable
and civilized of the group of nations inhabiting
the tropical regions, lying between Hindostán and
China. These nations, while they differ widely
from those adjacent to them in physical form, in
the structure of their language, in manners, institutions
and religion, agree with one another in
so remarkable a manner in all these characters,
that I am disposed to consider them entitled to
be looked upon as a distinct and peculiar family
of the human race. The following delineation
of the physical form of this race is drawn from
the Siamese, but probably applies to the whole
family.
In stature the Siamese are shorter than the
Hindoos, the Chinese, or the Europeans, but taller
than the Malays. The average height of twenty
men, taken indiscriminately, was found by us, on
trial, to be five feet three inches, the tallest being
five feet eight inches, and the shortest five feet
two inches. This would make them about an
inch taller than the Malays, and an inch and a
half shorter than the Chinese. Their lower limbs
are w e l l formed, contrary to what obtains among
the natives of Hindostán. Their hands are stout,
and destitute of the éxtreme softness and delicacy
which characterize those of the Hindoos; Their