No. 33, — 1880J THE VEDDAS OF CEYLON, 



387 



existence. Religion, political organisation, civil life, all the 

 arts and customs of firmly located tribes have been lost, 

 indeed, forgotten, and that, too, while in closest proximity- 

 even in direct contact — with a people who had passed through 

 a long and eventful history. Such a degradation is not con- 

 ceivable, unless we can prove at the same time very deep 

 physical demoralisation. 



From whatever side we consider the problem, we must 

 always come to the conclusion that linguistics can only be 

 used as aids in the investigation ; and that if a real solution is 

 to be found, it is only possible by means of physical anthro- 

 pology. What I have to offer in this direction is nowise 

 adequate to lead on to a full solution, but it will perhaps 

 contribute in reducing the possibilities of explanation to a 

 small number, and thus prepare the way for a final decision. 

 At the same time my hope is that these suggestions will 

 stimulate to new labours, especially^in the Island itself, 

 that, if possible, even at the last hour every effort shall be 

 made to obtain a correct description of the last remnants of 

 this fast dying out people. 



The hitherto ascertained facts regarding the physical pecu- 

 liarities of the Yeddas are the following :— - 



Even the description of BtOaaSef ((3iaadeg) furnishes truly 

 characteristic features. The principal passage has been 

 already quoted : smallness and feebleness of stature, heads 

 black and apparently large, with long, smooth unshorn hair.* 

 Added to this is the further statement that the people dwell- 

 ing in the rocky caverns are the smallest (x O.VV (TfllKpOTaTOV KCti 

 adpaveorarov), and that they are very agile in climbing the 

 precipices. 



* The bad Latin translation of this, which is ascribed to the Holy 

 Ambrosius, in the reprint appended to the above-cited edition of Palladias 

 (S. Ambrosius De moribus Braclimanorum, p. 59) : Nam et ipsos exiguos 

 homuneulos esse et grandia quaedam capita asserit habere cum levibus et 

 detonsis capillis. Here, therefore, once more is the supposed manner of 

 reading fieyaXoKe^aXa. 



