Page:Africa by Élisée Reclus, Volume 2.djvu/281

 INHABITANTS OF AIX}ERU. iSO The teoond t3rpG found in the old graves resembles that of the present inhabi- tants of the oases. These have a well-bahmced cranium, straight features, and arms disposed like those of Europeans ; but they are otherwise very slim, and of low stature. People of the same type are found in the more elevated parts of the Jurjura range, where they would seem to have taken refuge, together with the monkey tribes, that have also retired from the plains to these inaccessible uplands. During the first years of the French occupation, all the natives were confounded under the common designation of Arabs ; nor is the distinction between Arabs and Berbers even now always observed. On the other hand, those who clearly recog- nise the great contrast between the two races, might easily fall into the opposite error of regarding all the non-Arab elements as forming a single ethnical group usuall}' known by the name of Berbers. But these also present different types, and a closer inspection soon shows that many peoples of diverse origin have con- tributed to form the so-called Berber population. Besides the contrast presented by groups differing in stature, disposition of the limbs, and cranial formation, there is also that of the complexion and colour of the hair. Although the prevailing colour is brown, in all the tribes men are found with light hair, and some even with blue eyes. This fair element, first described by Shaw, is numerously represented in the Aures district, and especially near Khenshela and in the Jebel Sheshar. According to Faidherbe, it constitutes about a tenth of the whole population in the province of Constantine. The Denhajas, who occupy a tributary valley of the Safsaf south-east of Philippeville, claim to be sprung of fair ancestors, although from subsequent cross- ings with their neighbours most of them have acquired dark hair and eyes. They call themselves Ulad-el- Juhala, " Sons of Pagans," and until recently they still raised on their graves huge blocks (snob), round which religious rites were cele- brated. This circumstance lends some support to the hypothesis attributing the Algerian megalitbic structures to a fair race, which came from the north through the Iberian peninsula and across the Strait of Gibraltar. But this race has also been identified with the Gaulish descendants of the mercenaries charged by the Romans with the defence of the southern frontiers, as well as with the Vandals driven by Belisarius to the Aures highlands in the year 533. Even the Romans themselves do not appear to be entirely extinct. The remains of their towns and military stations are met by the hundretl ; many thousands of their inscriptions have been collected, and on the plateaux of Constantine they seem to be still more present in their works than the French colonists themselves. Here their ruined cities are more numerous and far more extensive than the European towns of recent foundation. Even in this direction they had occupied all the highlands of Aurasius, and penetrated beyond them far into the desert. South of the province of Algiers, their monuments are also met on the verge of the Sahara ; and farther west they had built many cities, at least on the Mediterranean slo|x? of the Toll. Their colonists, settled mostly on the upland plateaux of Numidia and the 3Iauritaniau Sitifis, that is, in the regions where the climate was most suited for the preservation of their race, must certainly have left