Melanesian Race

a branch of the large Equatorial (Negro-Australoid) race. Its members have dark skin, eyes, and hair, frizzy hair, broad noses, thick lips, and marked brow ridges. The race includes four groups: the Negritos, Melanesians, New Caledonians, and Papuans. Representatives of the Melanesian race inhabit the islands of New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, the New Hebrides, and the Loyalty Islands.