﻿42 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



I have already shown that tlae focus of the original energy could have 

 been in none other than Barata. Tamasak, the only other possible point, has 

 always, owing to unfertility of soil, had a sparse population.'" But as ages 

 rolled on, so circumstances altered — the ever restless waves of migration 

 continued their flow from the regions of Aria and Thibet, and ultimately 

 absorbed the Barata on his own soil, expunging his race and language. 

 Thus, the link between the east and west branches of a great aboriginal race 

 was broken. 



We must now look at the map of the secondary era, which shows (see 

 Map III.) the clouds of the Caucasian and Mongolian races to have 

 extended themselves, descending on the southern coast line of Asia and the 

 Indian Archipelago, mixing with or obliterating the dark shadow of Negro 

 races. The Thibetan, Arian, and Semitic races have overspread Hindostan 

 and Arabia, and the Mangians are occupying the islands. Thus, at the 

 commencement of the secondary era, we find the western Baratas cut off in 

 Madag;iscar, where we may now leave them, and have our attention engaged 

 solely with the easteirn migration. These, also, are cut off from the parent 

 focus, and now extend themselves from Tamasak to Ternati, the latter 

 point being, probably, the original extent of their expansion. Beyond this, 

 as traders, they would have no incitement to go, for here were the coveted 

 spices, nutmeg and clove, to be obtained, which, no doubt, ministered to the 

 fastidious palates of the Barata heroes, as they do now bo those of the modern 

 epicures of Europe. Here, also, were to be had the gorgeous plumage of the 

 birds of Paradise, which might deck the heads of the chieftains, as they now 

 crest the imposing turbans of our noble duchesses. Thus for an age, it might be 

 many centuries, v/e have the Barata maintaining his influence and race through 

 the whole extent of the Indian Archipelago — following in his course the 

 present great sea highway — and insensibly and gradually undergoing modifica- 

 tions of colour, physiognomy, and language, through the descent and migrations 

 of the Mangians and Annamese on the same region — the modern process and 

 effects of which have already been described. 



We must nov/- leave him for a little to notice a parallel movement, as it 

 supports the argument by its collateral proof. While the eastern branch of the 



* If otlier proof of this were wanted, it may be here stated tliat none of the tribes of 

 the 'Indian Archipelago have been known now, or in historic times, to have extended 

 their voyages west of Siimatra. All their trade westerly is, and has been, in the hands 

 of the Hindoos, Arabs, or Europeans. Marco Polo, writing in the thirteenth century, 

 also gives one or two facts in support of this ^dew. He was one of an expedition engaged 

 in carrying a Chinese princess to be married to the Shah of Persia, and in his voyage he 

 notes the countries touched at. Amongst many others, he gives the names of Ferlak 

 and Fanfur, which is the Arabic pronunciation of Perlak and Panchor, towns in 

 Sumatra, thus showing that he derived his information from Arab navigators, and not 

 from the Malays. 



