COMPARATIVE VOCABULARY. 127 



"'the facts presented by an ethnic monograph of the kind we 

 xt ' have indicated, we lind that very little light is to be obtained in. 

 ' r ' the history of the particular tribe. It suggests numerous 

 * ; ' enquiries, but can answer only a few. If we confine our atten- 

 " ' tion to it, the great mass of its characteristics are soon lost in a 

 " ' dark and seemingly impenetrable antiquity. But although each 

 u ' race, when thus taken by itself, vanishes along its separate 

 " ; path, it assumes an entirely new aspect when we compare it 

 " ' with other races. ' 



" To assist in the collection and comparison of Dialects, the 

 " following Vocabulary, consisting of one hundred words and fifteen 

 ■" numerals, arranged in groups and translated into the four conti- 

 nental languages most spoken in Malaya, has been compiled, 

 "printed and distributed by the Society; and it is hoped it may 

 " prove valuable to the Collector, particularly in regard to the 

 " various Semang, S? u kei and Jakun dialects, in the interior of the 

 ■" Peninsula. 



" The following recommendations of the best Philologists sum 

 '• up concisely and will serve for easy reference as to the points 

 ■" which are commonly considered to require most attention. A 

 " little care in these respects on the part of those who are good 

 * J enough to collect Dialects will much facilitate the comparison of 

 " one Dialect with another : — 



" 1. In all cases to ascertain- the exact name and locality ( or 

 " nomadic district ) of the tribe, as described by itself. 



" 2. In taking down such generic words as 'tree' and 'bird' 

 " to distinguish carefully the general name ( if there is one ) from 

 " the names of particular kinds of trees and birds. This rule has a 

 •• very wide application among uncivilised Tribes, which commonly 

 " possess but one word for arm and hand, for leg and foot, &c, &c. 



" 3. To give all the synonymous words in use in each case, with 

 ** every distinction of their meaning as far as possible. Undeve- 



