The Natural History of the Varieties of ManLatham, R. G. (Robert Gordon)
Science
The Natural History of the Varieties of Man
Latham, R. G. (Robert Gordon)
Ethnology
Rota and Tinian are remarkable for containing the remains of massive
stone buildings; the original use of which is wholly unknown to the
present natives. The same phenomenon will be repeated in Tonga-tabú and
Easter Island.
The Mariannes form the most northern portion of Micronesia. The
direction will now be due east from the cluster of Goulou; about
mid-way between the Pelews and Yap.
OULUTHY GROUP.
_Synonym._--Egoy Islands.
LAMOURSEK AND SATAWAL GROUPS.
_Direction._--West to east.
_Extent._--From 140° to 15° E. L. from Paris. Under 5° N. L.
_ Particular islands._--Lamoursek, Satawal, Faroilep (the most
northern), Aurupig (the most southern).
PROPER CAROLINE GROUP.
_Direction._--From the Lamoursek and Satawal group fifteen
degrees westward.
_Particular islands._--Hogoleu, Lougounor, Pounipet, Ualan.
A distinction which will often be applied in Polynesian ethnology may
now be made. It is the difference between the geological structure of
the different islands. Whether they are what is called _high_ or _low_
is important. In the high islands, where the structure is primitive,
metamorphic, or volcanic, the conditions for social development are
more favourable than in the low islands, of a coralline structure. In
these last the food is less abundant, the sun more scorching, and,
generally, the complexion of the inhabitants _darker_.
Again, the inhabitants of the low islands are generally at peace
amongst themselves: those of the high islands at war.
In the ethnology of the Paumoto Archipelago, this distinction will be
repeated. So it will elsewhere.
LOUGOUNOR.
_Synonym._--Lougoullos. Mortlock island.
_Physical conformation._--Stature, above the average; colour,
_chestnut_, lips thick, beard long but thin, hair black,
long, thick, slightly curling (_un peu crépu_), sometimes
frizzy--Lütke, from Prichard.
_Language._--Allied to, but different from, the Ualan.
POUNIPET.
_Structure._--Volcanic.
_Population._--About two thousand.
_Physical Appearance._--Face broad and flat, nose flat, lips
thick, hair crisp. Colour, between chesnut and olive. Height,
average.--Lütke from Prichard.
UALAN.
The chief island of the Central Caroline group, or of the Caroline
Islands in the more general sense of the term.
_Structure._--Volcanic.
_Physical conformation of the natives._--Stature average,
hair black, beard scanty, only in some cases thick, forehead
narrow, _eyes oblique_, nose somewhat flattened, face broad,
complexion clear yellow (citron), lightest in the case of the
chiefs.--_Lesson._
As the succession of islands now becomes less regular, and as the
interval of sea between Ualan and the Archipelagoes east of it is
considerable, it is necessary to consider the lines of passage between
the proper Carolines and the Ralik and Radak chains to the north-west.
These are two.
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