462 JOURNAL, R.A.S. (ceylon). [Vol. IX, 



to 1,650 (men), the significance of the shorter measure 

 of the Veddas cannot be doubted, and much less since we 

 find the minimum measures for the men amounting to only 

 1,245 mm. 



The information about the Sinhalese is unfortunately 

 very incomplete ; in one thing, however, all observers agree, 

 that they are smaller and less vigorous than the Europeans. 

 Whether there is only a relative difference in size between 

 Sinhalese and Veddas, whether the latter were stunted in 

 growth in consequence of their wretched life, or whether 

 their shortness is a typical race peculiarity, is still doubtful ; 

 yet the fact that they are not all dwarfs, but that com- 

 paratively large Veddas are met with (for the very scru- 

 pulous Mr. Hartshorne gives the measure of one man as 

 1,638 mm.), may be adduced in favour of the hypothesis that 

 their often dwarfish size is a result of long-continued unfavour- 

 able conditions for development. Nevertheless, the fact in 

 the main is well established that the Veddas belong to a small, 

 indeed to one of the smallest known races. If we add that the 

 Vedirata is extremely rich in game, that the Veddas are 

 skilful hunters and fishers, that honey and edible fruits and 

 roots stand in plenty at their command, we cannot say that, 

 like the Australians, they suffer from enforced deprivations. 

 If, notwithstanding, they are much smaller than the Aus- 

 tralians, it seems to me we must recognise their smallness of 

 stature as constitutional, 



Concerning their development of muscle and strength of 

 body, the witnesses testify loudly in favour of the Veddas. 

 Though the fleshy parts are rather slender, perhaps even lean, 

 the Veddas seem to possess, in general, great capacity for 

 active effort, and limbs of good proportions. Compared with 

 the Sinhalese in the lowlands they may be said to show a 

 certain superiority in all work requiring muscle, for it 

 is the Sinhalese of the mountains only, especially the 

 Kandyans, who are renowned for physical strength. The 

 shortness of the thumbs and pointed elbows, emphasised 



