in the Maldive Islands and Minikoz. 29 
It should be noted here, however, that, according to tradition, 
both the Mukkavan and Billava natives originally came from 
Ceylon. At the present time they are not widely separated, though, 
as has been pointed out, the Mukkavan are a seafaring folk, whereas 
the Billava are found inland. 
(ii) When we turn to the second possible source of immi- 
grants, viz. the western region including Somaliland and Arabia as 
far as the Persian Gulf, the ground is manifestly more uncertain. 
I will therefore content myself with the reminder that the possi- 
bility exists, and that a comparison of the Maldivians (especially 
the men of Addu) with the men of Yemen is not preposterously 
absurd. Yet the shorter stature and the greater tendency to 
brachycephalic heads shewn by the islanders renders the com- 
parison unsatisfactory. 
(iii) The third area to be considered may be described as the 
Malayan one. And it is important to note once more in this 
connexion that the chief difficulty hitherto encountered has de- 
pended largely on the low stature and rotundity of head met with 
in the islands. To match these, the South Perak Malays may be 
adduced at once. The Moslem names and the sporadic occurrence 
of “ Mongolian” features are also in accord with this view. There 
remains the contrast in respect of the nasal index, which points to 
a broad nose among the Malays who are thus in contrast with the 
Maldivians. 
But the Malay type is extraordinarily variable, so that the 
comparison need not be abandoned should one test (even though 
so important as that of the nasal index) seem to fail to provide 
confirmatory evidence. 
Indeed there is a good deal of evidence to be brought forward 
on this subject, and the following notes may serve to indicate the 
general trend of my surmises in this connexion. It is in fact 
known that in the Malay Archipelago the larger islands often 
possess an outlying fringe of islets inhabited by native populations 
differing from their neighbours. A contrast in stature at least is 
noticeable. Dr Hose mentioned this to me in conversation, and 
Mr Garrett, my former pupil, has just published some notes on the 
Orang Balik Papan, who may serve as examples of the stunted 
maritime populations in question. 
Further west, they are replaced by the Orang-Laut, and these 
again in turn by the Selungs of the Mergui Archipelago, and 
possibly some (though certainly not all) of the Nicobarese. In all 
instances the low stature*, brachycephalic head, and absence of 
high degrees of platyrrhiny provide just the combination of 
physical characters sought for. In conclusion, mention must be 
* The Selungs described by Dr Anderson in 1890 are however taller than the 
other tribes mentioned in this connexion. 
