THE EFFECT OF OUT-DOOR LIFE ON THE PHYSIQUE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."1
SIR,—In your issue of September 27th, 1884, in the review of a book, "Ancient and Modern Britons," notice is drawn to the dark complexion of the early border peoples. My experience during three years' intercourse with the inhabitants of the Western slope of the Appalachians, is that the wildest natives are dark. The Eastern backbone from Pennsylvania to Florida is still in the occupation of the descendants of the earliest settlers,—hunters and outlaws. Too poor to own negroes, there is no taint of coloured blood, and the Indians have long ago vanished. Still, many families are dark,—sallow complexion, straight, coarse, black hair, little or no beard, and a noiseless, slouching gait. Certainly, there is no Gipsy blood here ; but there have been generations of out-door livers, looking for sustenance to the hunt and wild herbs. I believe such a course of life affects even the individual. Last spring, after a pro- tracted stay with the Seminole Indians along the edge of the Everglades, my hair was dark and lank, whilst the tan of years of outdoor day-work had given place to a sallow olive-brown. Since my return to regular food and good shelter, my hair holds itself up like a white man's. I offer these remarks as I have spent a long period amid these little-known sections.—I am, Sir, Ac.,
Pineville, W. Ira., November 5th. G. DARSISHIRE.
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