2, 4).
The skull is dolicliocephalic (p1. i figs. 2, 3, 8, 9), and at the same time very high; the forehead is flat and receding, with strongly-marked eyebrows. This flatness, which is very noticeable in our illustrations, was often produced by artificial means.
Dress and illustrations give a good idea of the clothing of the Melanesians. The men frequently go quite naked, except the loins, which they contrive to cover in a really wonderful manner (p/. 9, figs. 19, 21, 25; j51. i fig. 5). The women always wear an apron (fil. 12, fig. 21). Their wide ear-lobes are frequently pierced (pW. 9, fig. 12), as is also the cartilage at the lower end of the nose, flowers, bits of wood, teeth, etc. being inserted in the opening (fl. 7, fig. 3; pL II, figs. I, 4). Circumcision is universal except in New Guinea. A coarse form of tattoo is widely practised. The figures are often quite elegant, and are either cut into the skin and then eaten by acid or burnt in; large scars on the skin frequently result from the operation. This is chiefly notice able among the women. The Feejee Islanders paint their faces red, white, and black in the most singular manner (p. 12, figs. I, 2, 3).
dwellings, though often only mere sheds to protect them from the weather, are for the most part well-built houses, which stand together in villages, and are particularly artistic in New Caledonia (A1. 9, figs. 26, 27). We also notice high sloping roofs extending low down toward the earth, made of plaited work, with open or closed sides and gables (pl. 7, fig. 5; pl. 8, figs. 1, 2). The houses very frequently stand on piles; for example, the rather awkward work of the Louisiade (p1. 1o, figs. 6, 7), where the posts are the height of a man, or the far better built ones of New Guinea (p1. S, fig. 2). Here also they stand in villages, or an entire village may be built under one roof, a long building being made of adjoining rooms for large families (pl. 8, fig. 4). The remarkable buildings of Humboldt Bay, which are supported on piles in the water, connected by bridges, and divided into rooms inside by mats hung like curtains, may be seen on Plate 7 (fig. 5) and Plate S (fig. 1). Others not
so striking occur at Dorei (North New Guinea). (See LAKE-DWELLINGS and illus. Vol. II.) A most curious temple in the form of a ship has here been placed in the water (p1. 7, fig. 4), while the houses, as in the Feejee Islands, are on shore. The Feejee houses, whose ridge-poles are much lengthened and supported by artistically-carved pillars 13, fig. 7), resemble the temples, except that the latter have stone foundations and are built throughout with more care (p1. 13, figs. I, 4, 5, i). The vil lages have tolerably clean streets, protecting walls, and plenty of fruit trees around the houses, and always a large assembly-house.
Melanesians are not without skill in shipbuilding and the like, and some of them are addicted to piracy. In New Caledonia they have double boats with an outrigger or beam on the surface of the water, which is connected by a lattice-work or a sort of bridge with the boat, and which thus keeps it steady. In many places we find lateen sails, and frequently very finely carved prows (pl. 7, fig. 7) and mastheads; on the other hand, we sometimes find merely the hollowed-out trunks of trees serving for boats (p1. 8, fig. 4). The Feejee Islanders have numerous forms of ships and boats. The most maritime people are the inhabitants of the Admiralty Islands, but the Feejeeans and the Melanesians generally are not remarkable in this respect (p1. 8, figs. 4; p1. 1o, figs. p1. 13, figs. 6, 8, 9). The Melanesians are all enthusiastic fishermen, using with great dexterity nets and hooks (p1. 12, figs. 5, 7) as well as spears (p1. 9, fig. 8). In a word, they show great technical skill; their weapons and tools are often artistic and handsome (p1. 7, figs. 6, 8; pl. 9, fig. 1o; p1. 12, fig. I), and they alone of all the inhabitants of Oceanica understand the art of making earthen vessels, often of elegant model (p1. 13, fig-. 3).