26 Dr Duckworth, On the Anthropometric data collected 
12. Three great sources of immigration into the Maldives and 
Minikoi can be suggested at once. These are 
(1) The peninsula of Hindustan with Ceylon ; 
(i) The coasts of Arabia and possibly of Africa ; 
(iii) The western shores of the Malay Peninsula, and the 
islands of the Malay Archipelago. 
(a) The proximity of India and Ceylon lead naturally to the 
expectation that they may be called to account for some contribu- 
tion at least. But again, we have to consider the seafarers of the 
region. For hundreds of years mariners from the West have made 
their way past these islands and have penetrated as far as the 
Pacific Ocean*. They may have come from the Arabian peninsula, 
and their stock might be that known as “ Himyaritic.” Or they 
may have been accompanied by the negroes of Africa, or again by 
Semites or Negrito-Susians from the head of the Persian Gulf. 
There remains a counter-current setting westwards from the 
great Archipelago. For it must not be forgotten that whether as 
a reflux or otherwise, certain “Malayan” peoples have travelled 
extensively in this direction. Prichard in particular (Wat. Hist. of 
Mankind, 1844, Vol. tv. p. 190) speaks of Malay colonies on the 
coast of Ceylon. 
It is therefore necessary to enter upon a brief consideration of 
each of the three possible sources in turn. 
The task of comparing the natives of the Maldives and Minikoi 
with the various races of Southern India and Ceylon would enlarge 
this report to such an extent as to render it unwieldy. Only a few 
selected examples will be dealt with in this place. 
Taking first Ceylon, the Vedda may be eliminated at once. 
The comparative rarity of a nasal index exceeding 82 in the 
islands may be taken as justification for this exclusion, and it will 
also rule out the Rhodias, Tamils and Singhalese. The two latter 
stocks are further distinguished by stature superior to that of the 
average man of the Maldives or Minikoi. 
But there remains in Ceylon the very curious type known as 
that of the “Moormen” or “mariners.” They present something 
of an enigma. I took some pains therefore to enquire into their 
physical characters. For these we are indebted to the late 
Sir H. H. Risley, who has recorded anthropometric data relating 
to 22 Moormen (cf. Journ. Roy. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Lxm. 1893, 
p. 33). Table VIII provides the comparison between these men 
and the Maldive islanders. 
The concordance is admittedly small. Yet it is perhaps not 
* The Maldivians themselves are said by Reclus (Géog. Univ.) to trade in native 
boats as far as Sumatra. MReclus also refers distinctly to Arabic influences among 
them. 
| 
| 
