are 

ETHNOLOGICAL INQUIRY. 251 
members of families. The number of habitations in a particular settlement 
may be counted, and some idea of the average numbers of a family be given. 
Where the people inhabit the water-side, the number and dimensions of their 
craft may be taken, and some idea of the proportion between the number of 
these and of the individuals belonging to them, may be formed. In drawing 
conclusions from observations of this kind, it will be necessary to have due 
regard to the different degrees of density or rarity, in which, from various 
causes, population may be placed. 
84. Has the number of inhabitants sensibly varied, and within what 
period ? 
85. If it have diminished, state the causes; such as sickness, starvation, 
war, and emigration. When these causes require explanation, please to give 
it. If the inhabitants are on the increase, is this the result of the easy and 
favourable circumstances of the people causing an excess of births over deaths, 
or is it to be assigned to any cause tending to bring accessions from other 
quarters? State whether such causes are of long standing, or recent. 
86. Is the population generally living in a manner to which they have been 
long accustomed, or have new relations with other people, and consequently 
new customs and practices, been introduced ? 
87. If the people, being uncivilized, have come under the influence of the 
civilized, state to what people the latter belong, how they are regarded, and 
what is the kind of influence they are producing*. State the points of their 
good influence, if any, and those of an opposite character, as the introduction 
of diseases, vices, wars, want of independence, &c. 
88. Is there any tendency to the union of races? how is it exhibited, and 
to what extent ? 
Social Relations. 
89. What kind of relationship, by written treaty or otherwise, subsists 
between the nation and other nations, civilized or not? Have they any 
intercourse by sea with other countries? Do any of them understand any 
European language? Or are there interpreters, by whom they can commu- 
nicate with them ? 
90. Are they peaceable, or addicted to war? Have they any forms of 
declaring war, or making peace? What is their mode of warfare, either b 
sea or land? their weapons and strategy ? What do they do with the slain, 
and with prisoners? Have they any mode of commemorating victories by 
monuments, hieroglyphics, or preservation of individual trophies, and of what 
kind? Have they any national poems, sagas, or traditions respecting their 
origin and history? Where Europeans have introduced fire-arms, ascertain 
the modes of warfare which have given place to them. 
State whatever particulars respecting their origin and history are derived, 
either from traditions among themselves or from other sources. 
Religion, Superstitions, Sc. 
91. Are the people addicted to religious observances, or generally regard- 
less of them ? 
92. Do they adopt the idea of one great and presiding Spirit, or are they 
polytheists ? 
93. If polytheism exist, what are the names, attributes, and fables connected 
with their deities, and what are the modes in which devotion is paid to each? 
* This question will comprise the existence of missions—the success or the want of it from 
causes connected with missionaries themselves or others. - 
