The Ethnology of India. 141 



of the most striking and, I think I may say. handsome of all races. 

 A remarkably showy oriental dress, setting off a complexion almost 

 European, no doubt goes for something ; but still the people themselves 

 are very remarkable. Far from the dingy old-clo' looking complexion 

 which we are apt to associate with European Jews, their complexion 

 is the most bright and transparent looking to be seen anywhere, and 

 the blood seems quite to over-master the faint tinge of olive in their 

 skins. The features are large and prominent, almost to excess, and 

 their forms tall and goodly. I believe that these people are all 

 connected with the Persian Gulf, and that they derive their blood 

 from thence. After Mr. Palgrave's description of the true Arab 

 physique, one may well believe that their traits are really rather 

 Persian than Semitic. 



Tiie Scindees. 



I have already noticed the people of Upper Scindc. The people 

 and language properly called ' Scindee' are almost confined to the 

 lower part of the Province, and I have reserved them to be classed 

 among the Borderers, because they are not altogether an extension of 

 any of the Indian Arians of whom I have treated, but a composite 

 race largely influenced by other elements. The Arabs seem to have 

 conquered Scinde some centuries before India at large was overrun 

 by Mahomedans of other races ; and at this day there is both much 

 Arabic in the Scindee language, and probably a good deal of Arab 

 blood in the Scindee people. There is also probably some Persian, some 

 Hindu, and perhaps some aboriginal Koolee blood. In short both 

 the people and the language are altogether composite. The amal- 

 gamation does not seem to have had the good industrial result shown 

 in the Moplahs and Borahs. The Scindees are described as well 

 grown and rolust, but dark in skin, debased in morals, and idle. The 

 Delta and the country of the Lower Indus seem to be very ill and 

 insufficiently cultivated ; and the people are given to hunting, fishing, 

 and pastoral pursuits quite as much as to cultivation. 



The Belochees. 

 I have not alluded to the Belochees as an element in making up the 

 Scindees, because it would seem as if the Belochees themselves were a 



