COMPLEMENT, in music, the quantity required to be added to any interval to plete the octave; for example, a fourth is the C. of a fifth, a third is that of a sixth, etc. COMPLEXION, the color of the skin, existing in the epidermis and dependent upon certain pigment cells. Those nations most exposed to the weather and least under the influence of civilization are usually of the darkest color. The savages of Australia are black; while the half-civilized people of New Zealand are much. lighter, the pecple of the Friendly islands are often olive colored, while those of Tahiti, who have attained a good degree of civilization, are of a light complexion, and have long flowing hair. The same conditions are found in civilized countries where degrees of rank are observed; the nobility arc easily distinguished by their fair and the peasant by their dark features.
Blumenbach divides mankind into rive classes, according to color: 1. Caucasian, or white, having for the most part a white skin and red cheeks, and hair soft, long, and wavy, sometimes black, but oftener brown, and frequently yellowish. 2. Mongolian, or olive, having a skin of an olive color, and hair black and stiff, straight, and spare in quantity. 3. Ethiopians, or negro, with black skin, and black kinky hair. 4. Ameri can, or red, with and black, stiff, and straight hair. 5. Malay, with tawny skin, and black, curly hair. Light hair is the usual accompaniment of white and thin skin; while dark hair and dark complexions commonly go together. There does not appear to he any anatomical difference in the skins of the white and the colored races; the changes are the result of temperature, climate, and exposure.