Italians. (1) Ancient inhabitants of Italy, of Ligurian stock, probably Eastern Hamites, related to the Pelasgians [see [LATINS] and [ROMANS]]. (2) Modern Italians, mostly of Latin stock, crossed with Teutonic (Gothic and Lombard) blood.
Italic. A stock of the Aryan family, including ancient and modern Italians (with ancient Romans), modern French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Roumanian, with Latin (Spanish and Portuguese) Americans.
Jallonké. See [MANDINGAN].
Jangalis. An aboriginal Indian tribe, inhabiting the forest district north of Cuttack—the most primitive race in all India. Perhaps an early [Dravidian] (q.v.) stock.
Japanese. A race of the Northern Mongolian family, probably originating in Korea, whence they spread to Japan and dispossessed the Ainu aborigines, about the dawn of the Christian era. The most enterprising and civilised people in Asia, often called “the English of the Far East.” They possess a singularly high standard of honour and patriotism, which was the main factor in their recent victory over Russia, and they are eminently warlike, besides producing industrious agriculturists and enterprising traders. Of short but sturdy stature, white skin and yellow or sallowish complexion, oblique eyes, black hair.
Jats. A numerous agricultural race of the Punjab in North-west India. They are probably of an Aryan stock, but ethnologists disagree as to their history, assigning them ancient Scythian invaders, the Rajputs, or the Gipsies, for ancestors.
Javanese. A Malay race inhabiting Java, where they dispossessed the Negrito aborigines [see [KALANGS]] in prehistoric times. The Sundanese and Madurese are allied tribes, possessing parts of the island of Java, now under Dutch rule.
Jebus. See [YORUBAS].
Jews, Hebrews, or Israelites. The most important of Semitic races, of the ancient Canaanite stock. The Israelites descended from Abraham, who came from Mesopotamia to Canaan about 2000 B.C.; thence they migrated to Egypt, and returned to take possession of Palestine. Their history is familiar to all from the Bible. After the Roman capture of Jerusalem under Titus, 70 A.D., the Jews—as they were now called—were dispersed through the world, but they have retained their racial characteristics in remarkable purity through long persecutions, and now play a great part in the commerce and finance of nearly all civilised countries, though they have no national unity or racial home.
Jivaros. South American Indians, in Peru, on the head-waters of the Amazon.