Pathans. See [AFGHANS].
Payaguas. A South American Indian race, in the Argentine, whose wealth of silver ornaments gave a name to the Rio de la Plata.
Pawnees. A brave warlike tribe of North American Indians, akin to the [Shoshonean group] (q.v.) and formerly settled in Nebraska.
Pechenegs. An ancient Mongolic race of Turki stock, a branch of the [Kipchaks] (q.v.).
Pelasgians. The pre-Aryan inhabitants of Greece, apparently the aborigines of that country, who were dispossessed by the Aryan Hellenes. Little or nothing is known of their racial characteristics and affinities; but the excavations recently made at Mycenæ, Knossos, etc., show that they had reached a high stage of civilisation in prehistoric times on the Ægean coast. Probably a branch of the Western Hamitic family, resembling [Berbers] (q.v.) in physical type. See [MYCENÆANS] and [ETRUSCANS].
Permians. A branch of the Finnish race, inhabiting the district of Perm in Russia, and closely resembling the [Karelians] (q.v.).
Persians. The ancient Persians were the main branch of the Iranian stock of the Aryan family, a civilised and warlike nation, who taught their sons “to ride, to shoot with the bow, and to speak the truth.” They reared a great empire under Cyrus (B.C. 537) and his successors, which was destroyed by Alexander the Great and divided in 324 B.C. The modern Persians, known as Tajiks, and as Tats on the west of the Caspian, are the descendants of the ancient Persians with a considerable admixture of alien blood, due to a long period of Arab and Turkish domination. They present a fine Aryan type, however, and are cultivated and commercial, though not warlike.
Peruvian Indians. See [INCAS].
Peruvians. White natives of Peru, partly of pure Spanish descent, partly crossed with Indian blood.