NlCOBi^E ISLANDS, 
178 
The Nicobar Islaods, whicK lie immediately to the 
sotith of tlie AndaraaDS; the nortlienimost bemg only 
thirty leagues tUstaiit, arc inhabited by a peoplCj who, 
although essentially Papuan in their leading characteris- 
tics, are an industrious, and well-conditioned race, and 
inferior in these respects to no native tribe of the Eastern 
Seas. But they must have made the first great step in 
civilization, by becoming cultivators of the soil, at least 
some centuries ago. The ancient name of Insula bonm 
fortun^^ must have been applied only to this portion of 
the island group. We have distinct evidence that the 
produce of their cocoa-nut groves attracted traders from 
the continent of India, many years befoi-c Europeams 
foand their way to the East. The cocoa-nuts, together 
vpith the animals that were fattened on them, proved 
equally attractive to the latter, and these islands speedily 
became a favourite resort for refreshments, in the first in- 
stance by trading, and latterly by whaling ships. 
Whether the existence of cocoa-nut gi-oves has led to a 
taste for agriculture, or a taste for agricultui^ has led to 
the formation of cocoa-nut groves, miiBt ever be a mystery i 
but the course of a long experience among races just 
emerging from utter barbarism, has led the writer to 
look upon that tree as the banner of hope to its posses- 
North Australia arc much opposed to the mtroduction of foreign 
vegetable prodaetioiis ; the cottoa shrubs which he pkntod on 
various parts of the coast having been, generally destroyed by the 
natives. This fact will be useful to those wlio may follow him in 
attempting to reclaim the native tribea, as their prejudices, when 
oxice known, are easily overcome bj care and management, — 
