184 J. HORNELL ON 



The connection effected between the float and each boom is indirect, by means 

 of three short stanchions ; these are inserted in line longitudinally upon the upper 

 surface of the float. The middle stanchion is vertical, its upper end lashed to one side 

 of the extremity of the boom ; the outer ones converge, their upper ends passing beneath 

 the end of the boom, lashed thereto with rattan on each side of their vertical 

 companion. The upper ends project irregularly beyond the upper surface of the 

 boom. This method of connection again shows close relationship with that 

 characteristic of certain Australian outriggers, differing however in the number 

 of stanchions employed. In the Queensland form from Cape Bedford and neigh- 

 bourhood, two only are used, the median or vertical one being omitted.^ In this 

 type a whoUy unusual modification of the boom fitting is foun.d, two twin slender 

 rods being used therefor, the outer end of one being inserted over, and that of the other 

 under, the crossing of the two stanchions. No vestige or suggestion of this modifi- 

 cation is seen in the Andamans, but with the exception of this and the addition of 

 a vertical (third) stanchion, the Andaman outriggers show such close resemblance in 

 all details to the typical Queensland form, that it is obvious they have had a common 

 origin. In both, [a) the canoe form is the same, both have the same lack of sheer, 

 the same rounded ends and bow platform ; [b) they agree in having multiple booms of 

 no fixed number — the Andamanese cannot count beyond three — and (c) in the booms 

 passing through the sides of the canoe ; [d) the float connection though differing in 

 one detail, is essentially of the same type. Only in the use of twin slender boom 

 poles by the Australian type in place of a single stout boom is there any marked 

 difference between the two. Were the points of similarity confined to one or even 

 two important structures, one might consider them as coincidences or as a case of 

 convergence brought about by like needs, like habits and similar environment ; when 

 the coincident structures comprise all those of importance, the evidence becomes 

 cumulative and we cannot accept the view of independent origin — both canoes must 

 have had a common ancestry. 



It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that to the Negritoes, low in civilization 

 though they be, the invention of one form of the outrigger canoe is to be traced, and 

 that the nearest approach to the original design is that existing still in the Anda- 

 mans. From the Negritoes the Australians appear to have borrowed this design, 

 without ability to improve upon it. As this primitive form is of the single outrigger 

 type, we may conclude that the single antedated the double outrigger : the evidence 

 of Polynesia tends to the same conclusion.^ 



NICOBAR ISLANDS. 



Although situated at no great distance, scarcely ninety miles from the Anda- 

 mans, and although the single outrigger canoe is again the characteristic boat form, 



1 Haddon, A. C " The outrigger Canoes of Torres Straits and North Queensland" in Essays and Studies presented 

 to W. Ridgeway, Cambridge, 191 3. 



2 I am indebted to the Chief Commissioner of the Andamans for kindly supplying the details of Andaman canoes 

 given above; these may therefore be taken as accurate. A good figure of an Andaman outrigger with four booms is given 



