486 



JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). 



[Vol IX. 



in cultured races ; indeed, the figures for the nannocephalic 

 girl are so small that we have every reason to inquire whether 

 these can be physiological relations. If we add to this the 

 apparently very small capacity of the Veddas for mental 

 development, the almost entire absence of all ideal forms of 

 thought, the inability to count, and still more to calculate, 

 the want of any sense of colour, the question suggests itself 

 whether this is not mikrocephaly in the pathological sense ? 

 We can distinctly deny this suggestion. The small Vedda 

 skull is as little to be considered microcephalic, in the 

 technical sense, as the intellect of the Veddas is to be likened 

 to the mental condition of microcephyles. The individuality 

 of the Veddas is psychically fully developed. So far as their 

 needs demand they have matured their capacities, and are able 

 to take care of themselves and their children. They establish 

 families, defend their estates (not very definitely limited to 

 be sure), obtain for themselves, partly by great effort and 

 cunning, the necessary food, and even associate, so far as 

 unavoidable, with neighbours and strangers in a free way 

 and as self-determined men. Enough ; they are distinguished 

 in all the main features from actual microcephyles. 



Mr. Bailey* testifies expressly that madness and idiocy are 

 rare among the Veddas, especially the latter. He says it is 

 true they have the notion, that when one curses another 

 madness overtakes the one cursed — a notion which prevails 

 also among the Sinhalese, who designate cursing as kataivaha 

 (" bad mouth," or " poison from the lips "). But insanity is 

 nevertheless uncommon among them. This testimony is the 

 more worthy of note since Mr. Bailey suggests the idea that, 

 as the result of intermarriages with blood relations, beside 

 a stunted body, diseases of the brain, idiocy, and epilepsy 

 might be expected. But he finds nothing of the kind, and 

 satisfies himself by imputing to the cause mentioned the lack 

 of numerous descendants and dying out of the race, an 



Bailey, I. c, p. 295. 



