Page:Williams and Calvert, Fiji and the Fijians, New York, 1860.djvu/108

 82 FIJI AiTD THE FIJIANS. large, powerful, muscular men abound. Their mould is decidedly European, and their lower extremities of the proportion generally found among white people, though sometimes narrower across the loins. Most have broad chests and strong, sinewy arms, and the prevailing stoutness of limb and shortness of neck is at once conspicuous. The head is often covered by a mass of black hair, long, frizzled, and bushy sometimes encroaching on the forehead, and joined by whiskers to a thick, round, or pointed beard, to which moustaches are often added. The outline of the face is a good oval ; the mouth large, with white and regular teeth ; the nose well-shaped, with full nostrils, yet distinct from the negro type ; the eyes are black, quick, and restlessly observant. Dr. Pickering, of the United States Exploring Expedition, observes concerning the Eijian countenance, that it was " often grave and pecu- liarly impressive." * He further remarks, " The profile in general, appeared to be as vertical, if not more so, than in the white race ; but this, I find, is not confirmed by the facial angle of the skull, and it may possibly be accounted for by some difference in the carriage of the head. The Fijian skulls, brought home by the Expedition, will not readily be mistaken for Malayan ; they bear rather the negro outline ; but they are much compressed, and differ materially from all other skulls that I have seen."f The peculiar harshness of skin, said to be characteristic of the Papuan race, is more observable among the wilder inland tribes of Fiji, where less attention is paid to the constant bathing and oiling of the body. The complexion of the people varies, but the pure Fijian seems to stand between the black and the copper-coloured races. Dr. Pickering thought that he noticed " a purplish tinge in the Fijian complexion, particularly when contrasted in the sunlight with green foliage ; " and adds, " The epithet of ' purple men ' might be given to this race, if that of ' red men ' be retained for the ]f alayan." J The nearest approach to the negro is found on the island of Kandavu. An intermixture of the Tongan and Fijian blood has produced a variety called " Tonga-Fiji," some members of which are good-looking ; but the class has not always been distinguished by its admirers from the true Friendly Islanders. Thakombau, the Chief known as " King of Fiji," is thus described by an American gentleman : " He is extremely good-looking, being tall, well made, and athletic. He exhibits much intelligence both in his expression of countenance and manners. His features and figure re- X Ibid., p. 149. Captain Erskine, of IT. M. S. "Havannah," attributes what he calls "a bluish black tinge," in the colour of the Fijians, to " the quantity of hair on their bodies."
 * " Eftces of IMiin," p. 147. t Ibid.