26 



palaiinwm has a relatively large share with the Sinhalese in the 

 formation of the palatal plate. The Tamil palatal index is in 

 very striking contrast to the Sinhalese, 



The facts given in respect to three of the most important 

 regions of the skeleton face shew that great difficulties are 

 encountered in attempting to ascertain the degree of affinity 

 existing between these three tribes. If we take, as usual, the 

 indices as guides we gain for each region another combination. 

 Most nearly related are : — 



According to the orbital index — the Vedda and the Tamil. 



Do. nasal index — Tamil „ „ Sinhalese. 



Do. palatal index — ,, Sinhalese ,, Vedda. 



We must not forget however, that here only one individual 

 is taken from each tribe, and that he by no means corresponds in 

 every particular to the average of his tribe : the Author having 

 had to select for his illustrations from the few skulls available those 

 which gave the best indications of regular development, but which 

 perhaps do not, in all respects, represent typical forms. The 

 Author's work will have fulfilled its aim if it hastens the bringing 

 up of better material. For the present he can only assert that, 

 so far as we have a distinct view of the physical relations, as 

 few evidences appear of a real affinity between the Tamils and, 

 the Veddds as between the Tamils and the Sinhalese. 



Question of Dravidian element in Veddds and Sinhalese. — 

 This, however, does not decide the question as to whether there 

 is a Dravidian element in either the Veddas or the Sinhalese. 

 We now know that the Tamils who made invasions and settle- 

 ments in Ceylon came not only from the nearer points on the 

 coast of India, but also from quite northern districts ; and, before 

 expressing a decided judgment, all the tribes of Hindustan 

 which are usually embraced in the term " Dravidas " must be 

 compared in turn. A comparison of this kind would here be 

 out of place, and the material is not sufficient. For the present, 

 it will only be stated that the physical condition of the Tamils, 

 including those of the Coromandel coast, is not sufficient to 

 represent perfectly the Dravidian type,* Close beside them 



* Of two skulls from Tanjore, — the Chola of the Sinhalese annals, — 

 one is dolicho-cephalic ; the other mesocepbalic ; which is here typical ? 

 One is hypsikonch ; the other mesokonch ; one leptostaphyline ; the other 

 bracbystaphyline. According to which shall we decide ? 



