The Descent of Man

(62. For the Javans and Cochin-Chinese, see
Waitz, 'Introduct. to Anthropology,' Eng. translat.
vol. i. p. 305. On the Yuracaras, A. d'Orbigny,
as quoted in Prichard, 'Physical History of
Mankind,' vol. v. 3rd ed. p. 476.)
In several of the tribes of North America the
hair on the head grows to a wonderful length;
and Catlin gives a curious proof how much this
is esteemed, for the chief of the Crows was elected
to this office from having the longest hair of
any man in the tribe, namely ten feet and seven
inches. The Aymaras and Quichuas of S. America,
likewise have very long hair; and this, as
Mr. D. Forbes informs me, is so much valued as
a beauty, that cutting it off was the severest
punishment which he could inflict on them. In
both the Northern and Southern halves of the
continent the natives sometimes increase the
apparent length of their hair by weaving into it
fibrous substances. Although the hair on the
head is thus cherished, that on the face is con-