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    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 frxed' air , a little more than two-, thirds ; 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 of 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 lungs , 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 containing oxygen , ( nitrous oxide , ) and lastly in oxygen itself , to see if it increased 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 hah 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 Avell to consult Robin , and Verdeil , Traite de CMmie Anatomique , Vol . II ., p . 53 , sq . We cannot enter oil 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 .

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    OUR DUSKY BEETEEEK The JSthnographical TJbrary . Conducted by Edwin Norris , Esq . Vol . I . The Native Races of the Indian Archipelaqo , Papuans . By Gcorcfo Windsor Earl . Prico 10 s . Cnl ' H . Bailliere . Mjr . Bailliere 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 , onlarging his own experience by contributions from Dutch and French travellers . He

    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 are 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 . l ^ orm is ao important , that attention to it is indispensable . Describing the Papuans , Mr . Earl says :

    Their most striking- peculiarity consists in their frizzled or woolly hair , which docs not spread over the surfaco of the head , a . s in usual with the negroes of Africa , but grows in small tufts , each of which kcupH separate from the rent ; and tbo hairs , if allowed to grow , twist round each other , and form spiral ringlets . Many of the tribes , more especially tho mountaineers who hold intercourses with more civilized races , from whom they can procure cutting instnunonts , keop the hair closely cropped . The tufts then iissumo tho form of little knobs , about tho size of largo peas , which give tho head a singular but not altogether unpleasing appoaranco ; for tho regularity of those little knobs i " h ho great , that tins first idea wliich Htrikefl a stranger is that thoy have been produced by means of a Htainp ;

    and tho writer him every reason to believe that tho liair of Home tribes in naturally nhort , fchiH knob-like appearance arising without tho Huporfluous hair boing cropped . Among tho coast tribes of New C-Juinoa , however , tho spiral ringlets HomotimeH grow to tho length of a foot , when thoy are either cut off clo . se to the head and made into wigs , by inserting the oikIh into sktill-oapH formed of matting ; or tho riuglet , H arts opened out by tho hand , and kept sprwid by tho constant use of a sort ; of comb of bamboo with four or five long prongu . The hair then assumes a « 4 >; u-, ioiiH , bushy appoaranco , which has caused | , he people who adopt the latter practice to be culled ' mop-headed Papuans . ' Komooftlio less known tribes plait tlui ringlets over th » crown of the head , where they form a thick ridge . "

    - But we venture to question , though with Hiil ) miHnion , tho accuracy of Mr . lfiarl ' H mibnoquout remark , that thiN doHoription of twisted hair in pooulmr to Papuans . " A comparaUvoIy uligld , mixture with tho brown I'iMw remove * the peculiarity , at loiiHt Iiuh done ho in all canon that have ?¦ oino undor tho wril . or ' n observation . " We should bo glad to hear Dr . Ijatluim ' fl opinion on this point . Tho " AyA , w" children , exhibited a few wciolcH ago , wore rhhuredly not pure Papuans , whatever they were , yet they had thin twintcd hair . Among tho very curious dotailH of thin volume , Ihoro aro several which vividly iJluHtrato tJio ovor-roeurrout—yet to our pride repugnant—idea of < 51 oho affinity bo |; woon our race and Mint of tho elumpanzoo .

    H IN Tltioaofl . '" On tho afternoon ' of tho day in whioh the encountortoolc i > laco , tho NaturalintN , well armod , returned to tho creek at high water , and waw a miootaclo which waH

    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 coast 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 ] N ~ egritos : —

    " The people with whom I had come to amalgamate for several da ys , appeared to me rather in the lig ht 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 clearin g 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 ih a manner which 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 the 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 pelc-mele 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 ad ore 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 equally 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 aro 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 Now Guinea , and in every way a superior specimen of tho Papuan race , wo read , among other things : — " One of the most striking peculiarities in connexion with the customs of tlio Arruans , consists in the high value they place upon elephants' tusks , brass gong . s , and largo porcelain dishes , which are in such demand , that they generally form part of the cargoes brought by tho foreign traders . Tho writer lias a lively recollection / of the incredulous surprise with which ho listened to the statements of the Bugliis traders he met with in Java and Singapore during his earlier vinitrt to tho Archipelago , who informed him that tho islanders hoarded up tliono 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 the market . Hiam and ( Jochin-Uhina were then tho chief sources of tho supply of ivory , but latterly African tusks have been imported from Europe by the Netherlands Company for the Molucoan trade , so that tho demand seems rather to he on the increase . This Hingular practice of hoarding articles of such value , which is common ; ilno to the natives of Timor-Laut mid tho , Sorwal , ty Islands , will have to ho noticed more fully when the brown-coloured tribes of tho Archipelago come under roviow . With the Timor-Laut and . Sorwatty islanders , fcho practice ih connected with religious olwervancoH , the tunics more especially being purchased by the wealthy for display during their funereal ceremonies , after which they aro preserved by their deseendantH as rcliow . Probably this will provn to be the case with tho AiTuans ^ ilso , -whoa inoro full information is obtained concerning thoir customs . " Of the AlTooth : — " ' It is certainly worthy of remark that these simple Alfoers , without tho hopo of reward or fear ' of punishment , after death ( Mr . Kolirhoro alludes to the ignorance of tho Arruans roHpocting a future Ht : ito ) , live in such peace and brotherly love with ouo another , aiid that they reoognino the right of property in tho fulled hoiiho of tho word , without their being any other authority among them than tho decisions of their elders , according to tho ounfcoinH of their forefathers , which aro hold in the highest regard . During my stay among' thorn , I never porcoivod tho leant discord , " either among thouiHolvos or with their neighbour *) in tho adjacent villages , which one would Hiipposo might naturally take place from tho daubing of intoroHts in tho tropang fishery , or from thoir uppotito lor wtrong drink . Thin last ih tho ohief , if not tho hoIu v ' ioo which oxihIh among them . " 'No Alfoor can take unto himself a wifo until lio has delivered the maningo present , which consists of elephants' tooth , hratm gongs , oloth , Ac . This ia not

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    October 29 , 1853 . ] TIE LEADER . 1049

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 29, 1853, page 1049, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2010/page/17/