JEWESSES:

By: Joseph Jacobs

Anthropologically considered, Jewesses present certain distinctive physiognomic and epidermic characteristics marking them off from the male members of their race. It has been observed that as a rule they show the Jewish type of feature and expression more markedly. Investigation appears to have developed the fact that their skin is darker than that of the men, while their hair is lighter (Fishberg, in "American Anthropologist," 1903, pp. 92-93). Combining the two factors, it is found that 58.39 per cent of Jewesses are brunettes as against 66.82 per cent of male Jews. On the other hand, Jewesses seem to be less afflicted with color-blindness (see Eyes). They are superior in keenness of sight (Jacobs and Spielman, in "Journal of the Anthropological Institute," xix. 80), but inferior in all other anthropological measurements. It would also appear that the "custom of women" (Gen. xxxi. 35) appears earlier among Jewesses than among other European females (see Niddah).

J.