THE ETHNOLOGY Of THE INDIAN ARCHIPELAGO. 9 



of the insular languages with reference to others, I comouad 

 the structure of those of which I had some knowledge v. tth iU>t 

 Biinnah-Chinese, Tartarian, Tibeto-Indiau, Older Indian, African 

 and American groups, and made a comparative vocabulary of 

 a Utilo more than 300 word* of 135 of tlw Indo- Pacific, languages 

 T)me I have partially compared with each other and with about 

 150 of the Continental languages that appeared to have connection! 

 with them.* This vocabulary I intended to publish with on essay 

 on the comparative structure of the different groups, as a sequel 

 to my second essay on the languages of tlte Indian Archipelago t 

 which appeared in the number of this Journal for November 

 last. The time likely to be occupied in printing it is so much 

 Greater than I expected, and ethnological matter of other kiwis 

 has so much accumulated on my hands, that I have been induced 

 to alter my plan. Reserving a more full examination of the lang- 

 uages until 1 can accompany it by this vocabulary, T shall proceed 

 to give the results of a general preliminary survey of the ethnology 

 of the Archipelago and of the regions with which it appears to 

 hove positive connections. The enquiries which this has suggested, 

 and tne many directions in winch they diverge, prove that the 

 subject as a "whole is far beyond the grasp of one person, Mid 

 T tti ink 1 shall better aid in the progress of our knowledge by 

 laying the 'general facts and conclusions at once before my readers, 

 instead of waiting for years till the completion and comparison 

 of more full data shews to what extent tney are to be modified 

 or extmdwl. Even to draw all the results from the small 

 vocabulary which it is capable of yielding, requires much collateral 

 euquiry *br almost every word. When I have finished its analysis, 

 the inferences that have already been obtained, will, I believe, • 

 become considerably more definite and positive* Although the 

 facts that I shall proceed at once to lay before the reader, will 

 maintain their interest and value in all our future inquiries, it 

 will not, I hope, be overlooked that the present series of essays arc 

 essentially preparatory. 



In briefly adverting, as I have done above, to die state of opinion 

 respecting the insular languages and races, my object has been 

 not only to shew the necessity that exists for more extended obser- 

 vation in the Archipelago itself but to avoid frequent allusions to 

 controverted points. The cause of truth will be best served by 

 takiug up the whole subject as independently and freshly as it U 

 p(*!*ib] ■ io do, after the mind has befn fiunilturized with previous 

 researches. If therefore I may less frequently allude to the 

 labours and opinions of such men as Marsden, Crawfurd and 



• I have not been able to kuert more than ti few words in several of the Lingua- 

 KB* which are not actable to ma, For several manu*ori]it vocabularies vhkli 

 havn been presented to me dun aekxwwiedgmem will be made when tbev are 

 published. 



t Preliminary Remark* on thf (feneration. Urowtb , Stmciure and Anal vai» 

 of Languages— Jgurti. Ind. Arch. Vol. II. p. 637. 



10 I 



