The Descent of Man

y the House of Commons, May 29, 1863. The
following statements about the Sandwich Islanders
are from the 'Honolulu Gazette,' and
from Mr. Coan.)
So again in the interval between the census of
1866 and 1872 the natives of full blood in the
Sandwich Islands decreased by 8081, whilst the
half- castes, who are believed to be healthier,
increased by 847; but I do not know whether
the latter number includes the offspring from
the half-castes, or only the half-castes of the
first generation.
The cases which I have here given all relate to
aborigines, who have been subjected to new
conditions as the result of the immigration of
civilised men. But sterility and ill-health would
probably follow, if savages were compelled by
any cause, such as the inroad of a conquering
tribe, to desert their homes and to change their
habits. It is an interesting circumstance that the
chief check to wild animals becoming domesti-