CHAPTER II. 

 THE DICTIONARY OF EFATrL 



Most of the accessible vocabularies are very scanty — Only three Mel- 

 anesian dictionaries (those of Mota, Efatd and Viti) are at all consider- 

 able — The development of Macdonald's theory of Semitic origin — His 

 Efate dictionary and its false lexicography — Some words hidden from 

 sight — Clumsiness in the definition — Introduction of polemic dishon- 

 esty — His false etymology — No clear distinction of several dialects. 



Quantitatively regarded, the lists presented in the bibliography 

 seem to show that we have no inconsiderable material bearing more 

 or less directly upon the philological problems of the islands of the 

 Western Pacific chain. When investigated more closely, when 

 measured in a qualitative analysis, the tale is far other. Many of 

 these vocabularies, so diligently sought and so sedulously treasured, 

 are mere lists of but a score or so of words and often of problematical 

 accuracy in reporting. In very few cases have they been subjected 

 to intelligent criticism. Yet they are by no means to be despised. 

 They are the best we have, and with them we must perforce be 

 content until future exploration affords better data. 



We have in the Melanesian tract but three vocabularies of any 

 considerable magnitude. The dictionary of the Fijian is of inesti- 

 mable value, a storehouse of information; yet it has been found to 

 yield its most valuable results when associated with more strictly 

 Polynesian investigations. The Mota dictionary is of far lower order, 

 yet none the less is it a valuable implement of Melanesian study. 

 The Efate dictionary is by far our best contribution of data upon 

 which is to rest the science of Melanesian speech; and this hearty com- 

 mendation must be kept in mind through all the adverse criticism 

 which it will be necessary to pass upon it in many details. 



Dr. Macdonald awakens our envy when we note the opportunity 

 he has enjoyed for the study of the speech and the habit of Efate\ 

 thirty-five years spent in the search into the language and the 

 mind of this interesting family of Melanesians, a study directed 

 solely to the attainment of such knowledge as should better fit him 

 to become the guide of the souls to whose cure he had been sent in 

 the isles of the sea at the uttermost parts of the earth. 



In the bibliography it will be observed that in 1882 he exhibited 

 his Semitic theory to the Royal Society of Victoria. In 1889 he 

 presented it anew and in richer development in "Oceania." At 

 intervals he has contributed minutely prepared papers to the Journal 

 of the Polynesian Society exhibiting yet further argument in behalf 

 of his theory. Now he has attained to such a mass of evidence, 



