290 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



represented on the map), two routes of migration leading from the 

 East Indies into the main Pacific; one, through the Micronesian 

 groups; and the other, by the Papuan archipelagoes. 



c. The East hidies. 



The proas of the East Indies, seem to be every way adapted for 

 traversing the open sea; yet in no instance that I am aware of, have 

 they been found at any considerable distance from the outer coasts; 

 and these even, are in a good measure avoided. There is certainly-no 

 exception to the usual semi-aquatic habits of the race; for the East 

 Indians, are fully as fond as the Polynesians of being in and upon 

 the water. At the present lime, the Bugis of Celebes, may be said to 

 rule the East Indian seas; their commercial enterprises, extending to 

 all parts of the immense closed archipelago, from the borders of Asia 

 to the northern coast of Australia. 



The Chinese 'junk,' seems also to belong properly to the region 

 under consideration. And being used chiefly within the limits of the 

 monsoons, and among land-locked expanses where the Equator brings 

 exemption from storms, the construction, may prove to be by no means 

 ill-adapted to the circumstances. 



d. The Bengal Sea. 



The Telinga people, in company with various adventurers from 

 the eastern coast of Hindoostan, have long been in the habit of resort- 

 infy in large bodies to the East Indian islands. Amonsf some tliou- 

 sands seen at Singapore, nearly all the individuals I questioned, had 

 embarked at Madras. 



I observed, however, in the harbour of Singapore, a vessel from 

 Cochin, (near the southern point of Hindoostan.) It was clearly a 

 proper sea-vessel ; one, vindicating the more advanced knowledge of 

 Navigation in the West : moreover, the construction, although pecu- 

 liar, oflered, with the raking masts and the sharpness of hull, a nearer 

 approach than was anticipated to a celebrated model at home. 



The Maldive islanders, likewise, are known to make voyages to 

 and from the East Indies. I am not sure that I have met with any 

 of these people, and I am even undecided as to their physical race; 



