426 OF THE GALLA TRIBES, 



practise nearly similar customs. The first disputed 

 question respecting the Gallas is their origin, 

 which is generally supposed to be foreign to the 

 continent they now occupy, and from the name Calla 

 resembling a Hebrew word signifying milk, it has 

 been presumed that they were a white people of that 

 nation, who have become changed in colour by a long 

 residence in their present inter-tropical possessions. 

 Modern travellers continue in supporting this sup- 

 position, but in recording my dissent I ask no one 

 to adopt my opinion, I owe it to my readers to state 

 my ideas upon a subject I have studied a little, and 

 upon which I presume they •require information. 

 It is not, therefore, to attract attention by opposing 

 received opinion, which I would much rather 

 avoid, but for the sake of exciting discussion 

 among abler men than myself, that I here throw 

 out suggestions respecting the Gallas, as on other 

 subjects I have done before. 



The origin of the name Galla, from the Arian 

 word calla, black, appears easy and natural, and I 

 have therefore adopted it, but shall feel greatly 

 indebted to any learned ethnologist who will correct 

 me if I am in error. The country their presumed 

 parents occupied, is that in which, from its situation, 

 no other complexionecl people could reside, whilst 

 that law of nature continues to exist which has 

 imposed a black skin upon men living in a very 

 hot country. 



We find, however, these so-called blacks in 



