324 Languages of the various tribes inhabiting the [April, 



ing with the 23rd degree of north latitude, is inhabited by numerous 

 tribes of Highlanders, known to the Asamese by the general name of 

 Nagas. Whatever may be the origin of the word, it appears that the 

 appellation is entirely unknown to any of the hill tribes themselves. 

 They are divided into numerous communities or races, and they know 

 themselves by the designations of their respective tribes only, and not 

 by any name common to all the races. 



There appear however to be some marks by which these tribes are 

 distinguished from their neighbours, and some common ties by which 

 they are all bound together as one people, though at present divided 

 into tribes by a diversity of dialects. These dialects are sometimes so 

 different that two adjoining tribes cannot converse together, except 

 through the medium of a third dialect common to both ; yet they are 

 said to intermarry and form connexions and alliances with each other, 

 which they do not do with tribes not belonging to the Naga community. 



The Nagas also appear in general to be distinguished from their 

 neighbours by physical conformation ; for though there is much differ- 

 ence in this respect amongst them, yet they are in common remarkable 

 for extremely coarse, savage countenances, and dull, timid, heavy dispo- 

 sitions. 



My investigations, for the present, have been confined to the dialect 

 spoken by the Namsangiyas, a tribe occupying the hills near the sources 

 of the Boori Dihing river. To the Rev. Mr. Bronson of Nowgong, I 

 am indebted for the valuable aid he has afforded me in these enquiries. 



Of Nouns. 



Comparatively copious as is the grammatical apparatus of this lan- 

 guage, it possesses no affixes by which to designate the cases of its 

 nouns. 



The Genitive case is denoted merely by the juxta-position of the two 

 substantives, the former being understood to be in the genitive. 



Kien ngiupo phyet-6, Milk the goaty (or literally,) draw the goafs 

 milk. 



In the other oblique cases, the noun is followed by the distinguishing 

 adjunct, Nang ; sometimes with, though more frequently without the 

 addition of a post-positive particle. 



Ham-nang vanrd, Bring a mat. 



Tra minyang-nang lako4ak, I gave it to that man. 



