ORIGIN OF THE DYAKS. 277 



had been formerly supposed ; though the Javanese, who 

 are the most distinct from the other races of the island, 

 bear considerable resemblance to that division of the 

 human family. 



The natives of the continent of South America are 

 little known, and I have met with no vocabulary of the 

 languages of the central tribes of that continent. Usages 

 cannot be depended on, as the same circumstances would 

 produce similar habits among people who had no com- 

 munication ; but the use of the Sumpit-an, which pre- 

 vails among the South Americans, is also common in 

 Borneo, and is known to some more eastern islands. 

 The Taboo, or Pamali, assimilates the Dyaks with the 

 islanders of New Zealand and the Pacific Ocean ; and, 

 should the inquiry be properly carried out by persons 

 residing on the spot, and who may have leisure and 

 opportunity to pursue an investigation so interesting, we 

 may hope, in time, to connect the inhabitants of all the 

 islands closely one with another ; and, finally, annex them 

 to the continent of South America, or establish them 

 which is, perhaps, more probable as a distinct race from 

 any of those of Asia or the Western World. It will be 

 my study, if opportunities occur, during a contemplated 

 residence, which I hope may be long continued, on the 

 island of Labuh-an, to prosecute these inquiries ; and I 

 hope that others, with similar advantages, will assist in 

 the elucidation of the confused but interesting history of 

 these nations. 



