The Descent of Man

convinced that their ideas of beauty are ON
THE WHOLE the same as ours; and Dr. Rohlfs
writes to me to the same effect with respect to
Bornu and the countries inhabited by the Pullo
tribes. Mr. Reade found that he agreed with the
negroes in their estimation of the beauty of the
native girls; and that their appreciation of the
beauty of European women corresponded with
ours. They admire long hair, and use artificial
means to make it appear abundant; they admire
also a beard, though themselves very scantily
provided. Mr. Reade feels doubtful what
kind of nose is most appreciated; a girl has
been heard to say, "I do not want to marry him,
he has got no nose"; and this shews that a very
flat nose is not admired. We should, however,
bear in mind that the depressed, broad noses
and projecting jaws of the negroes of the West
Coast are exceptional types with the inhabitants
of Africa. Notwithstanding the foregoing
statements, Mr. Reade admits that negroes "do
not like the colour of our skin; they look on