THE BINUA OF JOIfORE, 
291 
languages of the Binua and the Bermun tribes, will be considered 
when the vocabularies which I have been for some time preparing 
are published 
Many of the Malays have Binua Wives, who of course are Islam', 
ised. The Binua on their part are debarred from seeking waves 
amongst the Malays, and this must always; have had considerable 
influence in checking the natural growth of population. The first 
Malay adventurers were probably more numerous in males than fe¬ 
males. In many places the Chinese tend to absorb the Malays in 
their turn. The more civilized and wealthy races thin those below 
them of their women, and necessity drives the latter to make up the loss 
m some measure at the expenee of those still lower. This is one of 
those fundamental facts of ethnography which should be borne in 
mind in speculating on the gradual extinction of aboriginal races 
when comparatively civilized colonies come into contact with them. 
A considerable proportion of the Malays in the Peninsula behind 
Malacca are descendents of women of the aboriginal tribes, and the 
Malays in their turn gave wives to the immigrants from China, so that ' 
the greater portion of the Chinese of Malacca have Malayan blood 
in their veins. 
Bmuas occasionally embrace Islamism, but although attachment to 
their old habits and pride in the antiquity of their race, concur with 
their want of regard for the Malays in rendering them averse to this 
conversion, the Malays are persuaded that they will ultimately he 
entirely amalgamated with them. This is a fate which every consi¬ 
deration of humanity and religion urges us to endeavour to avert. 
As yet the Binufi preserve much of their natural openness and ho¬ 
nesty of character, and their whole disposition is such as to give as¬ 
surance that they would prove willing recipients' of Christianity'; 
were it presented to them in its purity and simplicity. Were an in - 
fel%ent, and kindly missionary to settle amongst them, the supe- 
rioiit) ol his character to that of the Malays would speedily gain 
for him the influence and authority of a father. A great improve¬ 
ment In their condition might he brought about by merely placing 
their intercourse with the Malays upon a just footing, to accomplish 
winch the influence of the Singapore government and the authority of 
the Tamungong would, it may he anticipated, be readily accorded, 
I he latter does not derive any advantages from the system of rapine 
winch prevails in all his principal rivers. At present while, in many 
places, his subjects are procuring tfiban at prices of 2|- or 3 dollars per 
picul, he pays them rates varying from7 to 10 dollars, innovation; 
