aroundworldortra00peebiala-1

36 AROUND THE WORLD.
civilization in tlie past. The present natives have no conception
why nor by whom such massive walls, parapets, and
vaults were constructed. The present race upon the Gilbert
Islands has stout physical developments, high cheek-bones,
fine straight hair, black and glossy. The aquiline nose is
the rule, and the cerebrum is largely developed. They are
less savage than some of their trafficking visitors.
Swarms of children, innocent of any clothing, flock to the
harbor upon each landing. So prolific are they yet, on the
greater number of these islands, and so uncontaminated
with the diseases of foreign civilizations, that their population
is deliberately limited by practicing abortion to
prevent
too great a number of hungry mouths. They should study
the Malthusian method of depopulation, or welcome to their
sea-girt shores Shaker missionaries to initiate celibate communities.
THE MARSH4LL ISLES.
These are a large group of the Micronesian family, ranging
from 4^° to 12'' north latitude. They were first discovered by
the Spaniards in 1529, and called by them the "good gardens."
The inhabitants were straight, light-colored, and strangely
tattooed. Their dress was decidedly Adamic, — fig-leaves
and mats about their loins ! At present the men wear full
beards, are energetic, and very hospitable. The women are
dressed in fine matting, have long black hair, and decorate
themselves profusely in shell-jewelry. Ocean travelers consider
them beautiful, though minus corset and waterfall,
pannier and paint.
They traverse the seas with large retinues, are emmently
clannish, and count nobility of descent on the mother's side.
While worshiping deities, they hold the spirits of their ancestors
in great reverence. They are skilled, say European
residents in their midst, in every kind of " incantation and
necromancy." They consult their mediums when in a state
of ecstasy, and heal by beating and striking the diseased