Australian Aborigines

Once estimated at 150,000, but now much reduced. They are considered the lowest of the human race. The cephalic index is 71, the average capacity of the cranium (97.6 in Europe ans) is 76, but the smallest skull had a capacity of 63 cubic in. There seems to be a dwarf type averaging 5 ft. high and a type 7 inches taller, of which a woman was found 7 ft. in ht. The West Austral i ans are the low est. The limbs are long and slender, the belly protuberant, the skull thick-boned, prognathous, with narrow forehead treating, small chin. The superciliary ridges are prominent. the hair abundant, soft, and curling. The lips are large, the toes turn in. They hate to work, but are good hunters, gentle in disposition, but irascible when irritated. Their memories are strong and they learn quickly, but cannot master principles; they have no words for numerals above four or five. The mode of life is communistic. They are generous, always sharing what children belong to the caste of the mother. The heads of children are often artificially deformed. Tattooing is practiced, also painting; white is the color for mourning. They are nomadic, build only rude bark huts, and eat anything, including reptiles and worms. They cultivate nothing, but cook everything except human flesh, which is eaten raw. They make no pottery, but are skillful in making simple weapons; the tomahawk, club, spear, boomerang, and shield are remarkable. The boomerang does not return to the thrower if it hits anything; it is used mainly in killing birds. Rude canoes and rafts are made. Polygamy is practiced. There is no marriage ceremony, except that the wife has her left little finger cut off as a sign of servitude. The boys pa through three degrees of initiation into the tribe, accompanied by elaborate ceremonies and torture; these degrees are taken at 9, 16, and 20 years. The men love to dance, sing, and feast, often ending with a free-fight and the eating of the slain. Chiefs are temporary leaders. They have no written language nor worship. The dead are either buried, burned, or exposed.