Haddon used these images to illustrate male initiation ceremonies and courtship, pointing out that women were free to choose their own partners. Kropotkin's influence became even more apparent when Haddon switched his attention to the Aran Islands in the summer of 1890. Given that Haddon had been appointed assistant curator of the Natural History Museum on Huxley's recommendation, this could be read as a warning. Haddon is using a coded version of Kropotkin's belief that scientists dealing with colonised peoples should dispel racism by emphasising the unity of humankind. He drew the reader into a coded discussion of variation, meaning differences in size and colour in a single species.

Source: Irish Independent June 20, 2020 01:30 UTC