ETHNOLOGY. In racial characteristics the Greeks belong to the Mediterranean race, and are akin to the Iberian of Spain and the Ligurian of Italy. They are above the average in height (1.65 mm., or 5 feet 6 inches), dolichocephalic (index 75.7 to 83 according to mixture), with dark skin, hair, and eyes. The face is a long oval, and the features are most attractive. Where those of shorter skulls or lighter color have crept in, the effect is seen in the population. Slays, Avars, Turks (Ural-Altaic), and Albanians (Adriatic or Dinaric race) have invaded Greece and added their racial characters to those of the older popu lation. The Greeks of classic times were of the long-headed Mediterranean type, as the crania that have been recovered show, though their statuary, as is pointed out by Stephanos, is brachycephalic. In speaking of the ancient in habitants two names stand out prominently for recognition, that of the Hellenes and that of the Pelasgians. Relying chiefly on the testimony of Herodotus, Sergi places the Pelasgians in the great Mediterranean family, where, before Greece was Hellenized, they completed the circle formed else by Iberians, Ligurians, and Libyans. This aboriginal Pelasgian stock was Hellenized after wards, just as the inhabitants of Gaul and Spain were Latinized. Behind the classic age lay the age of bronze and the age of stone. But the scarcity of osteological material renders it im possible to form opinions on the race of the men who peopled them.
In 1Etolia, Acarnania, Thessaly, the greater part of the Peloponnesus, and most of the islands, the descendants of the old Greeks are still pre dominant; but a very large admixture of Al banians (see ALBANIA ) prevails in Attica, Beotia, Phocis, and Argolis, with the islands of Spezzia, Salamis, Hydra, and Andros. The true Greek is easily recognized by his tall stature, slim body, aquiline nose, oval face, and mus tache, the beard being worn only in mourning.
The Greeks are temperate in both eating and drinking; flesh is seldom eaten, so that the diet is principally vegetable. The Greeks are devoted ly attached to their fatherland, and their love of liberty and independence is strong. Though they are loyal to a good ruler, they are easily roused to resistance by the infringement of their rights. Commercial bargains are the delight of the Greeks. Early marriages are common, and the Greek matrons take pride in large families. Two peculiar branches of the Greek race are the Mainotes of the Peloponnesus and the Palikars of the northern highlands. The former, who boast to be the descendants of the ancient Spartans, inhabit principally the mountain fastnesses of Taygetus, where for centuries they defied the power of the Turks. In recent times education, intermixture with other races, and commerce have to a great extent removed their distinctive peculiarities. The red cap, the white shirt, and the golden jacket mark out the Palikars even to the casual observer as a separate class. They go about armed, and attended by armed followers; their houses are fortresses, and their servants form a little army. The islanders are almost all seamen or traders; they wear the red cap, a short jacket, and wide Turkish trousers. The Alba nians are a strong, hardy race, and engage in agriculture or other severe labor. The Wallachs, of whom there are a considerable number in the region of the Pendus, are a nomad and pastoral race; they sleep on the hillsides with their flocks, which are guarded by ferocious dogs. There are large numbers of Maltese at Athens, and espe cially the Piraeus. The settlers from Western, Europe are not numerous. There is a consider able Turkish element in Thessaly.