292 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



regular voyages only to the eastward; but the fact of a Maldive canoe 

 with several persons on board, having recently drifted to the vicinity 

 of the African coast, shows at least, the practicability of intercom- 

 munication. 



We have thus designated, between Eastern Africa and the coast of 

 America, no less than five separate theatres of maritime intercourse. 

 Each of these, has different attendant circumstances, is navigated by 

 a different people, and in vessels of a different construction; each, if 

 thoroughly examined, would furnish ample materials for a separate 

 volume ; and this state of things, has existed for ages, notwithstanding 

 the silence of History. 



