296 THE PYGMY RACES OF MEN xix 



the Indian Government to the necessity of a habitation for 

 their numerous convict prisoners, the Andaman Islands were 

 again thought of for the purpose, A commission, consisting 

 of Dr. F. J. Mouat, Dr. G. Playfair, and Lieutenant J. A. 

 Heathcote, was sent to the islands to report upon their 

 capabilities for such a purpose ; and, acting upon its recom- 

 mendations, early in the following year the islands were 

 taken possession of in the name of the East India Company 

 by Captain (now General) H. Man, and the British flag 

 hoisted at Port Blair, near the southern end of Great 

 Andaman, which thenceforth became the nucleus of the 

 settlement of invaders, now numbering about 15,000 persons, 

 of whom more than three-fourths are convict prisoners, the 

 rest soldiers, police, and the usual accompaniments of a 

 military station. 



The effect of this inroad upon the unsophisticated native 

 population, who, though spread over the whole area of the 

 islands, were far less numerous, may easily be imagined. It 

 is simply deterioration of character, moral and physical decay, 

 and finally extinction. The newly-introduced habits of life, 

 vices, and diseases are spreading at a fearful rate and with 

 deadly effect. In this sad history there are, however, two 

 redeeming features which distinguish our occupation of the 

 Andamans from that of Tasmania, where a similar tragedy 

 was played out during the present century. In the first 

 place, the British governors and residents appear to have 

 used every effort to obtain for the natives the most careful 

 and considerate treatment, and to alleviate as much as 

 possible the evils which they have unintentionally been 

 the means of inflicting upon them. Secondly, most careful 

 records have been preserved of the physical characters, the 

 social customs, the arts, manufactures, traditions, and language 

 of the people while still in their primitive condition. For 

 this most important work a work which, if not done, would 

 have left a blank in the history of the world which could 

 never have been replaced we are indebted almost entirely to 

 the scientific enthusiasm of one individual, Mr. Edward Horace 

 Man, who most fortunately happened to be in a position (as 

 assistant superintendent of the islands, and specially in charge 



