278 



BIMANA. 



are of the same type, and have either branched off from a given stock, 

 at some remote period antecedent to history, or are the descendants of 

 distinct stocks, having the same physical peculiarities, and being referable 

 to the same head, under whatever general appellation, for distinction's 

 sake, it may be placed. The annexed figure (213) represents the Esqui- 

 maux physiognomy. 



It has been observed by many, that, among the nations in Asia 

 belonging to the present type, a monosyllabic language extensively pre- 

 vails a language composed of radical words of one syllable, admitting 

 of no true inflexions ; and, therefore, awkward and circumlocutory in the 

 expression of all ideas, excepting those of the simplest modification. Such 

 are the languages of China, Cochin-China, Tonquin, Ava, Pegu, Siam,* and 



Esquimaux. 



* According to the Rev. Mr. Gutzlaff, the Siamese language, though originally monosyllabic, is not 

 entirely so. " The Siamese have gradually changed from the monosyllabic system, by the introduction 

 of words from the Pali language (which was introduced as the sacred language by Samut T'hakudum), 

 and even blending and forming their own words according to this model. The Siamese language is 

 euphonious, expressive of the subjects spoken of: it unites, in itself, the simplicity of a monosyllabic 



