Native.

The Brain Of The

Letter to the Editor.

THAT admirable little article, with the above title, in your February num ber, has only two faults. We would like to know what gifted author we have to thank for it (an unsigned article is almost as unsatisfactory as an unsigned cheque!); and th,e writer, owing no doubt to the exigencies of space, does not re mind us of our own ancestors who, a few years ago (to speak geologically), were savages and cannibals, as the Glasgow finds proved!

Most of your general readers know of my archaeological work; and how close ly I have lived in touch with Australas ian, African and Pacific native peoples.

This, and the fact that I studied for the medical profession, in the ’seventies; and am “Captain” in the St. J. of J.’s Am bulance, having started the first classes here in 1886, perhaps justify me in writing upon the subject.

When I say that there is as much dif ference between the various types of European brains, as your unknown cor respondent, rightly, shows obtains be tween island ones, I am merely repeat ing a well-known truth. The most valu able lesson to be derived seems to be that civilisation, producing luxury, idleness of body and brain, and increasing sensual ism, tends to destroy a race. Read Eliza beth Goldsmith’s “Life Symbols ’, or other standard, modem work upon archaeologi cal facts, and you will learn how race after race has climbed to civilisation, only to decay rapidly, and return to Mother Nature “for fresh instructions”. I have shown, by my discovery of the old civil isation of the Western Pacific, how Na ture is a strict disciplinarian! If we ne glect the use of our limbs, or over-work certain parts of our brains, we deteriorate as a race, although certain individuals among us may survive, and produce a to tally different kind of human.

Among our Islands populations are peo ples whose ancestors were highly civil ised Asiatic folk (artistic, musical and architectural) when ours were !

But perhaps I have said enough to show my appreciation of your correspondent’s article; and my desire that the lesson he touched upon should be developed for the mutual good of the “plain or colour ed” inhabitants of our wonderful, and (scientifically) still little known Pacific.

I am, Sir, etc.,

Sydney.

Arthur J. Vogan.