206 NATURAL HISTORY OF 



migrated from the north-west, or Central Africa ; but 

 this is evidently only the expansion of increased popu- 

 lation, which, in earlier ages, shrunk from'the barren 

 coasts, and, since returning, have directed their march 

 to the south-east. 



Next, or perhaps superior to them in energy, are 

 the Galla or Sidana nation, constantly encroaching on 

 the Abyssinian states, and containing several mighty 

 tribes ; such as the Sooalla, seated from the equator to 

 Mozambique ; the Soomallees on the north of them, and 

 the pure Gallas in the interior, who are chiefly com- 

 posed of Carrachi and Boiran tribes all speaking 

 dialects of one great language. 



In the east, the propensity to an aquatic life is like- 

 wise manifest, for true Oriental Negroes inhabit the 

 Nicobar islands, and spread through many Australasian, 

 Philippine, and more eastern groups, though they are 

 often intermixed with Malay or with Hindoo races, 

 who have modified their characteristic distinctions, and 

 there also, in general, constituted a privileged order 

 among them. This occurs even among the Tasmanians, 

 the lowest race of oriental Negroes, and now nearly 

 extinct, yet still familiar with water. The New Hol- 

 land Papuas, who, for want of trees serviceable for 

 excavation, venture out upon slips of bark but slightly 

 bound together at the extremities, or on pieces of drift 

 wood, not capable to support them until their bodies are 

 partially immersed ; nay, on the central lakes of Africa, 

 Negroes venture out, riding a stick, having two open 



