THE ETHNOLUQV OF TUB INDIAN ARCH I TELA 30. 



27 



and maimers of England meet us in the Indian Archipelago in the 

 persons of Polynesian*, who liavt; received them through Anu n< :i . - 

 We have considered physical geography as prescribing the seat* 

 which nations occupy m different stages of advancement, the com- 

 munication between different seats, and the ffvaduaJ merging of 

 many into one, hut to gain a correct idea of the operation of geo- 

 graphy as a whole on mankind a;> u whole, wo must viesv ih<» 

 subject historically and with special reference to tlie movement* 

 of races. We Uieu see that while in every considerable region 

 there are retired districts and tribes wl.di long remain unaffected 

 by all the changes that go on in the more open and accessible seats 

 ot population, there arc also great highways of ethnic intercourse 

 ami advancement which have determined the Hues of migrations, 

 .i-n! Laicised a paramount influence on the his lory of man. These 

 are certain of the same tracts that first connect races or serve as 

 vide seats for kindred clans. The more permanent consist of all 

 open spaces capable of being traversed by man, but incapable of 

 being continuously inhabited by him. A great plateau like a sea 

 connects distant tribes on its margin. With these may be ranked 

 large rivers. A second class of highways consists of the coasts 

 of continents and islands ; a third, of chains and groups of Islands 

 and traversable mountains. Before the use of boats the mountains 

 of the Malay Peninsula afforded the only route by which it could 

 be traversed. Of all tliese highways the most important are the 

 ooenntOi It is these only thai are capable of giving to an advanced 

 civilisation effective and universal dominion. In earlier ages the 

 oceanic highways are marked out by monsoons and prevailing 

 winds. In every considerable maritime region the ethnologist must 

 make himself thoroughly acquainted with these. The winds and 

 currents, whether periodical or irregular, that now carry the prau 

 or canoe where its occupantB wish, or hurry it away out of its 

 coarse, exerted the same motive power in all periods of the human 

 hjistory of the region. The certainty of the occasional transporta- 

 tion of men into distant districts by this power in every age must 

 be born in mind. The limits of the regular winds and currents 

 must be ascertained, because each marks out an ethnic highway ; 

 and it is equally necessary to know the irregularities to which they 

 are subject, because each of these establishes a temporary route in 

 an unusual direction, by which it is possible for boats to be carried 

 out of the regions of monsoons, trade and other regular winds. One 

 accident of the kind in many centuries might suffice to give a popu- 

 lation to a district previously uninhabited, because a single pan* can 

 originate a race. We are yearly obtaining more facts m Oceanica 

 respecting this cause of the dispersion of mankind. It has been 



* I lately im wise Honolulu youth* Id Singapore for the fir*l time- Their 

 fhormiRhty English drew, manner* and speflctv were calculated to make a ifrang 

 xmpr^ion after a jwrrojal 01 the account of Cook's rocepUon and death at Hawaii 



in 1779. 



