general, and somewhat vagueïnformation as to the slighter varieties
of physical character which mayexist among the inha-
bitantsofdifferentparts of. Italy. I have-been assured that an
observant traveller discovers a decided difference of features and
complexion on comparing th e native people ofithsgh; tracts in
the Apennine with those who dwell in the low plains near the
coasts; ^ It is probable that .some'varieties in thèse^respects
exist between the inhabitants 'of districts on the eastern and
again on the westernifaee or declivity of the same chain. It
isi extremely probable that; people? of a sanguine constitution
and xanthous complexion might bedound in some of the high-’’
est and coldest villages; Of the fact we f have fariasl know]
noïSbsérvaiim, for it will not be considered, as fair 'tOvcite thë *
instance of the natives ofthe/Seven .Communes in the. Vieer#^
tine,Teirethe ThirteehbM the Veron^e/ who,'ia^mounfafe<5«!S
tracts, are said to: have | preserved thei^^M^^dfdhi^^l^iéehl'
and the xanthous colour of their Langobard or1 Altemannic
ancestors. The Italians in general have black hkir
with a colour of the skin considerably ! ^ dark than that of
the Spaniards. 1
From incidental expressions scattered throughithe worksief
classical writers, we may infer that the physical charactirS of
the ancient Italians were similar to those of their; -dèseendèiits.
The light xanthous complexion indicated by the term (> cmsïuè^'
was looked upon as something rather disgusting,;and wetnay
perhaps infer that it was uncommon.
The physical characters of the ancient Etruscans appear to
have; been very; peculiar, if we may form an: opinion of them
from the numerous figures which are found on the .coverings
of sarcophagi. On this subject, as well as on other topics
connected with the antiquities of the Etruscans, we have some
valuable information in a memoir byOtfried Muller, which appeared
daring the years 1818 and 1819,in the Transaction s o f
“the A cadeiny of Berlin. * The following are the chief-particulars
relating to; the physical characters of the race. It is -observed
that the èëuntenances oftbeEtrüsèahs arebf a ldfge and-round
shape, not acute; theeyes'large; the nose'hottong, but thick;
the chin strong, and somewhat: protruding. The figures disr
p lay in theirproportionsmemof small stature, with great
heads>. short thick arms, and a clumsy and inactive conformation
of body; the “ obesos et pingues Etruscos.” ^
“ The male figures are aillbeardless, quite smooth and shaven
about the chin, dressed1 in the tunie or toga, which is sometimes
drawn,.up oyer the hinder part of the head. On the head they
generally-wear a wreath, „of! eaves: sojmp hold in their right hand
a drinking-pom^d imthedeft*a pater^ They repose in an easy
posture, a little;raised, with their left; elbow Tested, as if in the
attituffemf persons who lea^e*i!^ifeStiv-al of life as well-satisfied
guests. i The little fingenofh tU&; left 'hand is-commonly ornamented
with a ringd*'The women lie in the-same position as
the men: they are glo.thed with a tuni*c|y;sptne having below
their breast .a broad girdle, fastened .before -by wheel-shaped
buckles, and with a peplum; which1 sometimes veils the hinder
part,,€k$,tfehe--head. ~ In one,hand theyh’old an apple.or some
similar fruit, and, in,1 the ^ l^ fc o / fan., These- figures are embossed
on the\Q©yerings off the - sarcophagi, which are formed
o f stones,or?i©^ciay. /O n the clay coverings;‘where a variety
oficoloursps^Sed o n ^ e ’reliefsjtHeseiigufes are also painted. In
them the hair is 'offa yellow-brown cdlodr^ and the eyes brown,
and the armour and shields' .o#a‘bluish black, which seems intended*
to show that they were made of iron.
If thismpi^uripg, was- chosen, asJl'/yould appear most pro-
bable,to imitate" the natural complexion of the Etruscans, the
fact,is, very remarkable, and it seems tq^dpifyall attempts to
theorise, on the origin o f the- E t r u scan people.*
Note on Chapter IV. Sections vii. and ,
- The fotfO\^ihg,compdVisoHwf vocabularies will afford evidence
that the Latin language is riot-fobe?resolved into two elements,
but has relations to many of the Indo-European idioms, of
which it constitutes a particular branch.
* Abhandl. (ier Berlin. Akad. 1818 u / 1819.. Hist. Phil.. Cl;>. 2.-; '
Sb'tfoany-feniain^ of ancient Etruscan .tambs'yet,exist\iifi> the north, of Italy> that
we may lpt^k for further elucidafionuf -this very interesting subject. The skulls found
in eome^f the Etruscan totobMfeóh were lately exhibited ,iu London, had the full
developemlnt of the European or Indo -AU|iTOC'yp?e. * -Local researches into this
subject wöüld well reward the pains: of any traveller ih.ltaly. 1
VOL, I II . s