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    p fcftaiJM 39,. ,, 1853.3 THE LEAflffi. ...

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    OUR, DUSKY BRETHREN. The Ethnographical ...

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    The Need For Such A Work Can Hardly Exis...

    absorbed ; to the remainder I added a bubble of nitrous gas ; but could not discover any red fumes , nor any diminution of the quantity . I repeated this experiment six times with similar , though not uniform results . I believe it will be found that the air perspired consists of carbonic gas , or fixed air , a little more than twothirds ; of nitrogenous gas , a little less than one-third . In one experiment , the nitrogen made only one-fourth part of the air collected ; in : another , I thought it exceeded one-third . ' " He then made a series of experiments of the same kind , but substituting water for the quicksilver , sometimes heating himself previously by exercise . The

    results of these were not materially different from those in which he held his hand in quicksilver ; but they are less clear because the carbonic acid gas given off seemed absorbed by the water . In the next series of experiments , he held his hand and arm in atmospheric air . In this case , he found that , in addition to the giving off of carbonic acid , that a portion 6 f the oxygen of the air became absorbed . This is exactly what happens in the lungs . Now , as the carbonic acid , when given off , is in both cases accompanied by the disappearance of oxygen , and as carbonic acid is Composed of oxygen and carbon , it had been usually conceived that the oxygen taken in , contributed to form the carbonic acid given off , and the idea is still entertained very generally .

    " The experiments of Abernethy , however , presently to be adverted to , in regard to the skin ; and those of Edwards long after , in regard to the hangs , satisfactorily prove , we think , that the carbonic acid is not at all derived in the manner supposed . "To test this matter , Mr . Abernethy confined his hand and arm in various gases containing no oxygen , as hydrogen , and then in nitrogen ; but he found the carbonic acid gas still given off as before . He then placed his hand , in a gas conir taining oxygen , ( nitrous oxide , ) and lastly in oxygen itself , to see if it in creased or otherwise affected the elimination of carbonic acid ; but in neither of those experiments was the carbonic acid thrown off , increased , or in any way affected by it . ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ . . " ¦¦ ¦ ; ¦ . '¦ . . . . .. . ¦ . - . ¦ .

    " In a subsequent part of the paper , he remarks on the idea that physiologists entertained of the carbonic acid given off by the lungs , being made by the oxygen inspired ; but he says very justly , that the quantity of oxygen is too small for the formation of so much carbonic acid gas as we find given out by those bodies , and that his experiments on the skin clearly prove that the exhaling vessels of the skin emit carbonic acid in a state of complete formation , and then adds , what it is difficult to estimate the merits of , without recollecting that it was said half a century ago , ( and before the experiments of Edwards , ) and , ' doubtless , those of the lungs perform a similar office . '" . The reader desirous of pursuing this subject by the light of modern chemistry , will do well to consult " Robin and Verdeil , Traite de Chimio Anatomique , Vol . II ., p . 53 , sq . We cannot enter on it here .

    In parting from these volumes , we must not forget to praise the excellent account given of Abernethy as a lecturer , which , as we . learn from an illustrious pupil , is singularly correct and lifelike ; the remarks also on the ordinary faults of lecturers are good and well-timed .

    P Fcftaijm 39,. ,, 1853.3 The Leaflffi. ...

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    Our, Dusky Brethren. The Ethnographical ...

    OUR , DUSKY BRETHREN . The Ethnographical Library . Conducted by Edwin Nbrris , Esq . Vol . I . The Native Races of the Indian Archipelago , Papuans . By Greorge Windsor Earl . Price 10 s . 6 d . H . Baillierc . Me . Baillieke with this volume commences a series of works on Ethnography , a science daily acquiring fresh importance , and capable of being , made extremely entertaining . In the present volume , Mr , Earl , avoiding speculation , contents himself with describing the Papuans , enlarging his 111 VllVL

    V * V-U C = JVJJC / J . JLU IIUC Kiy KjUU . lil . lLrU . IJlL'JLltt XJ . UJLII JL / UlUl ^ Xl . UilXUL JL' L tUll ^ l-L Ui V » . Ml > has produced a very agreeable though not a scientific work . The result of all observations on the Papuans is given here , together with many interesting pictures ; but the author ' s purpose has been descriptive rather than scientific . Maps and five lithograph plates arc added . In future , the drawings of the human form must bo made by an anatomist , or at least carefully supervised by one , since in matters like these the " approximate" stylo of drawing will never do . Form is so important , that attention to it is indispensable . Describing the Papuans , Mr . Earl says :

    ' Their moat striking peculiarity consists in their frizzled or woolly hair , which does not spread ovor tho surface of the head , as is usual witli tho negroes of Africa , but grows in small tufts , each of which kcups soparatc from the rest ; and tho hairs , if allowed to grow , twiat round each other , and form spiral ringlets . Many of the tribes , more especially tho mountaineers who hold intercourse with more civilized races , from whom they can procure cutting instruments , keep the hair closely cropped . Tho tuftB then assume the form of little knobs , about tho dize of largo peas , which give tho head a singular but not altogether unpleafling appearance ; for tho regularity of those little knobs is ho great , that tho first idea which Htrikos a stranger is that they have been produced hy means of a stamp ;

    and tho writer baa every reason to believe that the hair of some tribes is naturally short , this knob-like appearance arising without the HuporfluouH hair being cropped . Among- tho coast tribes of New Guinea , however , the spiral ringlets sometimes gro w to tho longth of a foot , when they are either out off close to tho head nnd made into wigs , by inserting tho ends into skull-caps formed of matting ; or tho ringlets are opened out by tho hand , ami kept spread by tho constant use of a sort of comb of bamboo with four or live long prongn . Tho hair then aHHUinen a c . 'ipaoioiiH , bushy appearance , which has caused tho people who adopt the latter practice to be called ' mop-headed Papuans . ' Some of the loss known tribes plait the ringlotH over tho crown of tho head , whore they form a thick ridge . "

    Bui ; wo venture to question , tiro ugh witli submission , tiro accuracy of Mr . . Karl ' s Hiibfloquent remark , that this description of twisted hair is peculiar to Papuans . " A . comparatively Blight mixture with tho brown nice removes tho peculiarity , at leant lias done ho in all chhch that have coino under the writer ' s observation . " We should bo glad to hear Dr . ¦ Latham ' opinion on thin point . Tiro " Aztoo" children , exhibited a few weeks ago , were assuredly not pure- PapuaiiH , whatever they wore , yet tficj / had this twisted hair . Among tho very curious details of this volume , there- nro several which vividly illustrate tU « evor-roeurront—yet to our pride repugnant—idea of close affinity between our race and that of tho chimpanzee . OUtt UUKTHttlON IN TJllJKfl . "On the afternoon of the day in which the encounter took place , tho Naturalists , well armed , returned to tho crook tit high water , and saw a spectftclo which wan

    also witnessed by those on board with the aid of telescopes ; namely , the trees full of natives of both sexes , who , with weapons on their backs , sprang-from branch to branch like monkeys , making the same gestures as in the morning , and shouting and laughing in like manner , without our people being able to tempt them out of the trees by throwing presents , towards them , so that they returned on board again . * * * ' * ' * ¦ ? * ¦ * " Perhaps the pride of man may be wounded on finding how closely his species may approximate to that of the quadrumanes ; but a little consideration will induce him to regard with admiration the wonderful adaptation of God ' s creatures to any circumstances under which they maybe placed . It is a singular fact that , on the south-west coa 3 t of New Guinea , the kangaroo , apparently the least suited of all animals for the process of climbing , has adapted himself to the half-drowned nature of the country by becoming an inhabitant of the trees . " Elsewhere , in speaking of the Ahetas or JN ^ egritos : —

    "Thepeople with whom I had come to amalgamate for several days , appeared to me rather in the light of a large family of apes than of human beings . Even their voices resembled the small cries of these animals , and their gestures were identical . The only difference I found consisted in their knowledge of the use of the bow and lance , and in being able to make a fire ; but in order to depict them . well , I will commence by describing their forms and physiognomies . The Ajetas or Negritos are ebony-black , like the negroes of Africa . Their utmost stature is four feet and a half ; the hair is woolly , and as they take no pains in clearing it , and do not know how to arrange it , it forms a sort of crown around the head , which gives them an exceedingly fantastic aspect , and makes the head appear , when seen from a distance , as if surrounded with a sort of aureole . The eyes are

    rather yellow , but of a vivacity and brilliancy comparable to that of the eagle . The necessity of living by the chase , and of pursuing the prey without cessation , exercises this organ in a manner whicli gives it this remarkable vivacity . The features of the Ajetas somewhat resemble ( tiennent un peu ) those of the African blacks ; the lips , however , are less prominent . While still young they are neatly formed ; but the life they lead in the woods , sleeping always in ther open air without shelter , eating a large quantity one day and often nothing the next , and prolonged fasts followed by repasts eaten with the gluttony of wild beasts , produce a large stomach , and render the extremities meagre and lank . They wear no clothing , with the exception of a little belt of the bark of trees , eight or ten inches wide , which encircles the waist .

    " Their arms consist of a lance of bamboo , a bow of palm-wood ,, and poisoned arrows . They live upon roots , fruits , and the produce of the chase . They devour their meat almost raw , and live together in tribes consisting of fifty to sixty individuals . During the day , the old people , the infirm , and the children , assemble around a large fire , while the others are hunting in the woods ; and when they obtain a prey that will last for somo days , they all remain around the fire . At night they all sleep pele-mtle among the ashes of the fire . It is extremely curious to see fifty of these creatures of all ages , and more or less deformed , thus collected together . The old women especially are hideous ; their decrepit limbs , large stomachs , and extraordinary head of hair , give them the appearance of furies or old witches . '

    " The Ajetas have no religion , and adore no star . It appears , however , that they have transmitted to the Tanguianes ( a brown race inhabiting the neighbourhood ) , or have learned from the latter , the practice of worshipping for a day a . rock , or the trunk of a tree , in which they find a resemblance to some animal or other . Then they leave it , and think no more about idols until they meet with some other fantastical form , which becomes a new object of an equall y frivolous worship .

    "The Ajeta has an incredible agility and address in all his movements . Ho ascends the highest trees like the monkeys , seizing the trunk with both hands , and applying the soles of his feet . . He runs like a deer when in the pursuit of large game—his favourite occupation . It is extremely curious to see these people departing on a hunting excursion ; men , women , and children , all go together , like a troop of orang-outangs on a plundering expedition . They are always accompanied by one or two small dogs of a singular breed , which aid them in pursuing the prey after it has been wounded . " Of tho Arruans , inhabitants of the islands on the south-west coast of New Guinea , and in every way a superior specimen of the Papuan race , wo read , among other things : ¦—

    '' One of tho most striking peculiarities in connexion with the customs of tho Arruana , centrists in the high value they place upon elephants' tusks , brass gongs , and large porcelain dishes , which are in such demand , that they generally form part of the cargoes brought by the foreign traders . Tho writer has a lively recollection of the incredulous surprise with which he listened to tho statements of tho BugluH traders he met with in Java and Singapore during bin earlier vinitn to tho Archipelago , who informed him that tho islanders hoarded up those valuables , without making any ostensible- use of them , and gave prices which enabled the Bughis traders to buy up these articles on any terms , -in fact , to command tho market . Siam and Cochin-OUina were then the chief sources of tljo

    suppl y of ivory , but latterly African tuskH have been imported from Europo l > y tho Netherlands Company for the Moluccan trade , so that the demand neornn rather to bo on the increase . This singular practice of hoarding article ^ of midi value , which m common also to the natives of Timor-Laut and the Morwatty MjuhIh , will have to be noticed more fully when tho brown-colourod triboa of the Archipelago come under review . With th « Timor-Laut and Serwatty islanders , tho practice in connected with religious observances , the tusks more especially boing purchased by the wealthy for display during their funoreal ceremonies , after which they are preserved by their descendants an relics . Probabl y this will pro veto be the cane with the ArrnaiiH also , wlion [ more lull information is obtained

    cnncor . n ing their customM . ' ' ' ¦ "Of the AUbers : — " Mt in certainly worthy of remark that those simple A ' lfoors , without the hopo of reward or fear of puiuHhinont after doutli ( Mi . KoHf here alludes to the ignorance of tho ArrnaiiH respecting a future sUito ) , live in mich peace and brotherly lovo with one another , and that they recognise tho right of property in tho fulloHfc House of tho word , without their being any other authority among thorn than tho decisions of their oldoro , according to the custom * of their fordathera , which arc held in tho highest regard . During my atoy among them , 1 never porcoived tho toast iliaconl , either among thoniaolvofl or with their neighbours in the adjacent village * , which one would mippoHe might nat urally toko place from the clashing of interests in tho trcpang fishery , or from thoir appetite ( or Htrong drink . Thm IhhI ; in tho chief , if not the Hole vice which exists among them . '" No Alfoer can take unto himself a wii ' o imt'l he lias delivered the marriage present , whicli coimiuifi of olophanta tooth , hnm gongti , cloth , & c . Thiajun not

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 29, 1853, page 17, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_29101853/page/17/