Stations marked by same common characters of bodily organisation,
and particularly by^a complexion which resembles-
neither the coppery hue of the Peruvians, nor the yellow tint
of the native races of Brasil. M, d’Qrbigny has denomb
natcd these nations Antisian, from a geographical term, the
meaning of which rests on the authority of the Peruvian,
Garcilasso de la Vega.*
Theregion inhabited by these races is striking in it&local peculiarities.
(< Here*” says M. d’Q rbigny,“ far from those elevated
treeless plateaux or extensive plains, or cold grassy mountains,
where the Aymaran or the Quiehuan herdsman wanders surrounded
by his flocks or lives on the amid
thc ruins of the ancient grandeur and the monuments of his
forefathers, the Antisian savage has fixed his dwelling at the
feet of precipitous rocks and under lofty trees, the branches
of which form a vast canopy impenetrable to the solar rays,
and preserving under their dark masses of fohag#; a cool
atmosphere and an ever-verdant and luxuriant vegetation» In
such a situation and under the influence of local conditions
so opposite to those which surround the natives , of the plains
of Cusco, the physical characters of the human race ma^hbi
expected to display a corresponding diversity, unless external
agencies, such as those of climate and local situation,, are
altogether destitute of influence on the constitution of men.”
Five distinct races, or rather so many hordes, speaking
distinct languages, are included by M. d’Orbigny in this department
of South American nations: they are the Yuraeares,
the Moeetenes, the Tacanas, tire Maropas, and the Apolistas.
The collective numbers of all are only 14,557 persons. Of
these 2,800 are said to be still pagans and savages. ** the
* Garcilasso says the Incas divided their empire into four parts, making
Cusco, the centre. 'To the eastward they called the country Antisuyu from
the province Anti, which extends all along that great mountain stretching
through the snowy desert eastward. To, the westward they called the country
Cantisuyu from that small province which is called Canti. \ To the northward
lies the province Ghjneba, and to the southward the country called
Colla, which reaches tp the Zur. Royal Commentaries,. book ii. chap. 5.—
I imagine that the region of the Antisian races of D’Orbigny is more extensive
than the Antisuyu of Garcilasso, but the term Antisian may well answer
the purpose of a distinctive epithet.
remauad^ _have been eoaieftod to the Qi^holie religion.
Though this number m small, it- yet suffices to bring before
our view, as -owr- “ facte the most curious in
regard tn the influence of loealitiesqm the physical end moral
characters of man.”
I shall eite in the. original words of the, writer his description
of this group© of nations« “ La ceulewrdu rameau dee
Antisiems b@»us; pefeente usae premfeft preuve de: eette influence
des eirconstancesi loealee.” ■ “ bes nations de ce rameau
sont en effefcpresque blanches eompar ativemeot awx Aymaras,
aux Quichuas,: aux. antoes mentagnards platoum elev4s*
et mime eo mparativecue-nt aux habitats des plainer des
Moxos.” As a proof that the shadoof complexion is, connected
with variety of climat^M. d?Orlngfey that the
races of deepest colour in these regions are the Maropas*
who were long ag©?removed; to the plains, and? the Apohstas*
who inhabit more elevatedand les-s humid mountains, while
the Yuracaris, the Moeetenes, and. the Tacanas, who. live in
the middle of the darkest forests wherfe the rays of the; sun
can never approach them, are the whitest of all these nations.
The stature of these !pe«ple furnishes, according' to our
author, a second proof of the influence of foeal agencies»
The Aymaran and Quiehuan mountaineers are of low statute..
The Yut&cares, who live on the eastern deelivity of the Andefe
sure the tallest these tribes: their average stature is five,
feet and half an inch ; some are as tali a® fee feet hve inches.
Their form displays a similar modification. We here find
not those short broad human figures where the trunk exceeds
the proportion of the limbs, owingA to- the peculiar condition
of the atmosphere. These, sylvan races have forms,
elegant and at the same time strong, displaying vigour and
activity,
The features of the Antisian races, display two different
types. The Yuraeares are in features like the Quickuas and
Aymaras: they have oval countenances, long aquifine noses.
I f we might form an opinion from the, type of features,; we
should say that the Yuraeares are descended from the Qui-
chuan mountaineers, having their complexion changed by, the
bleaching effect of the moisture and heat of the atmosphere,