In the Andamans and Nicobars: The Narrative of a Cruise in the Schooner "Terrapin"
CHAPTER VII
FAUNA OF THE ANDAMANS AND NICOBARS
Previous to entering into any details of the fauna of the Andamans and Nicobars, a glance at the depths of the surrounding ocean is interesting, and to a great extent explanatory of the peculiarities occurring in both groups: it is well known that the soundings of the adjacent seas clearly indicate the extent of time during which masses of land have been isolated, and the facts of this case seem to fully explain the variation and numerous peculiarities of the local fauna.
Preparis Island is situated at the tail of a 100-fathom (to be more particular, 50-fathom) bank projecting from the Arakan Yoma Peninsula. It is continental in its fauna, and possesses monkeys and squirrels.
Between it and the Cocos Islands is a depth of 150 fathoms.
The Andaman group, from Cocos to Little Andaman (except the South Sentinel, which is isolated), all stand on a 100-fathom bank (actually 50 fathoms).
All these are connected by a 200-fathom line with the Arakan Yoma Peninsula.
Narkondam and Barren Island both rise from a sea approaching 1000 fathoms in depth.
The Andamans and Nicobars are separated by a channel with depths of 600 fathoms.
Soundings about the Nicobars are at present very incomplete, but the Archipelago seems capable of division into two groups, each standing on a 100-fathom bank.
The northern of these consists of the compactly-situated central islands, and possibly Kar Nicobar, and is separated from the southern (Great and Little Nicobar and the adjacent islets, all perhaps surrounded by a 50-fathom line) by a channel with approximate depths of 200 fathoms.
The Nicobars stand at the termination of a 1000-fathom bank, projecting from the Arakan Yoma Peninsula, and from thence also curving east and south towards Sumatra, thus enclosing a long tongue of deep sea, over 1000 fathoms deep, that is connected with the Indian Ocean by the channel separating them from Sumatra.
This deep sea that surrounds the islands everywhere but on the north, shows that, so far as need be taken into account for present purposes, they have never been connected with the Malay Peninsula or Sumatra--a condition that is further shown by the almost total absence of any members of the Malayan fauna--although they may at one time have been a prolongation of the Arakan Hills.
"It cannot, however, be asserted that this latter theory of connection derives, _prima facie_, much support from a consideration of their fauna; and if they ever were in uninterrupted communication with the Arakan Hills it must apparently have been at an immensely distant period, for not only are all the most characteristic species of the Arakan Hills, as we now find them, absent from the islands, but the latter exhibit a great number of distinct and peculiar forms, constituting, where the ornis is concerned, considerably more than one-third the number known."--Hume, _Stray Feathers_, vol. ii.
From the above details, it is to be inferred that not only have the Nicobars--if ever in connection with the mainland--been longest separated, but that they have also been disconnected among themselves for a great extent of time. At a later period the Andamans were cut off from the continent, and the process by which they have been broken up into islands is--except in the cases of Narkondam and Barren Island--comparatively recent. This theory is fully borne out by the greatly localised nature of the fauna, nearly every island possessing its own peculiar species of terrestrial mammals.
MAMMALS.
The mammalian fauna of the Andamans and Nicobars is now known to consist of 35 positively identified species, 1 sub-species, and 4 others whose status is still doubtful.
Of this total of 40 animals, 19 are found in the former (if we leave out a dugong, which, though at present reported from the Andamans, will certainly be found to occur in the Nicobars), 22 in the latter. Only two species are common to both groups, and both these are bats--_Pteropus nicobaricus_, a wide-flying species found also in the Malay Peninsula and Java, and _P. vampyrus_--of which further knowledge will doubtless show that each group possesses its own variety.
To the Andamans 12 species are peculiar, the others being _Mus musculus_; _Felis chaus_, whose identification is doubtful; 4 bats; and a monkey, _Macacus coininus_, in all probability introduced.
The Nicobars possess 14 peculiar species and 1 sub-species, and the remaining members are _Mus alexandrinus_, and 6 bats.
Not only is the peculiarity marked among the terrestrial, but among the winged animals, which form so large a part of the fauna; also, of the 7 bats occurring in the Andamans, 3 are endemic, while the same is the case with 5 of the 11 in the Nicobars.
Thus it is to be noted that in the Andamans all the 11 terrestrial mammals--except _M. musculus_, _M. coininus_ (introduced?) and the doubtful _F. chaus_--are peculiar, and also 3 out of 7 bats; while in the Nicobars, only 1 species--_M. alexandrinus_--of 10 terrestrial is other than endemic, and of the 11 bats 5 (nearly half) are peculiar. Remarkable as is the state of things with regard to the terrestrial, it is equally notable where the flying mammals are concerned.
The most noteworthy features of the fauna are the preponderance of bats (16 species) and rats (13 species)--which together constitute nearly three-fourths of the total number of mammals known to occur in the islands--and the absence of practically all representatives of the ungulates, squirrels, carnivores, and flying lemurs, which are characteristic of the surrounding regions and abound on other islands at equal distance from the mainland. From the Malayan islands where these occur they differ in that "they are surrounded by water of relatively great depth, while the others lie within the 50-fathom line. This paucity of mammalian life cannot be regarded as due to an unfavourable environment, since all the natural conditions on both Andamans and Nicobars are perfectly suited to the support of a rich and varied fauna"; yet so great is it that it appears safe to assume that these, "contrary to the case with the shallow-water islands, were isolated at a time when the mammals now characteristic of the mainland did not exist there." In fact, we are almost driven to conclude that they never were at any time a portion of the continent, but were formerly only far nearer to it, far larger and far more compactly situated--a hypothesis that is further supported by an investigation of the birds appertaining to them.
"As yet no species have been discovered whose origin may be referred to the remote period of a land connection: such mammals as are now known are evidently of very recent origin, as in scarcely an instance has their differentiation progressed further than in the case of members of the same genera found on islands lying in shallow water. The question at once arises, therefore, as to the means by which they have arrived where they now are. Flights from the mainland would readily account for the distribution of the bats; but the presence of the other mammals seems impossible to explain otherwise than through the agency of man. With the single exception of _Tupai nicobarica_,[219] all are types well known to be closely associated with man throughout the Malayan region. Moreover, the period of time necessary to the development of the peculiarities of the native Andamanese would undoubtedly be ample to allow the formation of any of the species known from either group of islands, since in a biologic sense it has been vastly longer to the smaller, more rapidly breeding, animals than to man. The introduction, intentional or otherwise, of a pig, a monkey, a palm-civet, two or three species of rats, a shrew, and perhaps also a tree-shrew, at about the time when the various islands were peopled by their present human inhabitants, would amply account for the existence of the present mammal fauna with its striking peculiarities."
The following tabular summary shows the distribution of the fauna among the islands. (The letter A indicates material obtained by Dr Abbott, the letter R a previous record; an asterisk denotes occurrence beyond the Andamans and Nicobars; doubtful species have a note of interrogation placed against them; and those in italics have been described as new from the collections made during the cruise of the _Terrapin_):--
_Synopsis of the Mammalian Fauna of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands._[220]
Key for Column Headers
A: South Andaman. B: Rutland Island. C: Little Andaman. D: Henry Lawrence Island. E: Little Jolly Boy. F: Barren Island. G: No island specified. H: Kar Nicobar. I: Tilanchong Island. J: Trinkat Island. K: Kamorta Island. L: Nankauri Island. M: Kachal Island. N: Little Nicobar. O: Great Nicobar. P: No island specified.
+-----------------------------+-----------------++-----------------------+ | | ANDAMAN ISLANDS.|| NICOBAR ISLANDS. | | NAME. +---+-+---+-+-+-+-++---+-+-+-+-+-+-+---+-+ | | A |B| C |D|E|F|G|| H |I|J|K|L|M|N| O |P| +-----------------------------+---+-+---+-+-+-+-++---+-+-+-+-+-+-+---+-+ |*Dugong dugon | | | | | | |R|| | | | | | | | | | | Sus andamanensis | R | |RA | | | | || | | | | | | | | | | _Sus nicobaricus_ | | | | | | | || | | | | | | | A |R| |*Mus musculus | R | | | | | | || | | | | | | | | | | Mus palmarum | | | | | | | || | | | | | | | |R| | Mus bowersi(?) | | | | | | |R|| | | | | | | | | | | _Mus stoicus_ | | | |A| | | || | | | | | | | | | | _Mus taciturnus_ | A | | | | | | || | | | | | | | | | | _Mus flebilis_ | | | |A| | | || | | | | | | | | | | Mus andamanensis |RA | | | | | | || | | | | | | | | | | _Mus pulliventer_ | | | | | | | || | | | | | | | A | | | _Mus atratus_ | | | | | |A| || | | | | | | | | | | _Mus burrus_ | | | | | | | || | |A| | | | | | | | _Mus burrulus_ | | | | | | | || A | | | | | | | | | | _Mus burrescens_ | | | | | | | || | | | | | | | A | | |*Mus alexandrinus | | | | | | | || | | | |A| | | | | | Paradoxurus tytleri |RA | | | | | | || | | | | | | | | | |*Felis chaus(?) | R | | | | | | || | | | | | | | | | | Tupaia nicobarica nicobarica| | | | | | | || | | | | | | |RA | | | _Tupaia nicobarica surda_ | | | | | | | || | | | | | |A| | | | _Crocidura nicobarica_ | | | | | | | || | | | | | | | A | | | _Crocidura andamanensis_ | A | | | | | | || | | | | | | | | | |*Scotophelus temminchii | | | | | | | || | | | | | | | |R| |*Tylonycteris pachypus | | | | | | |R|| | | | | | | | | | |*Pipistrellus tichelli | | | | | | |R|| | | | | | | | | | |*Pipistrellus tenuis(?) | | | | | | | || | | | | | | | |R| | _Pipistrellus camortae_ | | | | | | | || | | |A| | | | | | |*Miniopterus pusillus | | | | | | | || | | | | | | | |R| | Rhinolophus andamanensis | R | | | | | | || | | | | | | | | | | Hipposideros nicobaricus | | | | | | | || | | | | | | | |R| | _Hipposideros nicobarulae_ | | | | | | | || | | | | | |A| |R| |*Hipposideros murinus(?) | | | | | | | || | | | | | | | |R| |*Pteropus nicobarus | | | | |R| |R|| R |A| | | | | | A |R| | _Pteropus faunulus_ | | | | | | | || A | | | | | | | | | |*Pteropus rampyrus | | | | | | |R|| | | | | | | | |R| | Cynopterus brachyotis | | | | | | |R|| | | | | | | | | | | Cynopterus brachysoma | R | | | | | | || | | | | | | | | | | Cynopterus scherzeri | | | | | | | ||RA | | | | | | | | | |*Macacus coininus | R | | | | | | || | | | | | | | | | | _Macacus umbrosus_ | | | | | | | || | | | | |A|A| A |R| +-----------------------------+---+-+---+-+-+-+-++---+-+-+-+-+-+-+---+-+
BIRDS.
The birds of the Andamans and Nicobars have always been better known than the mammals, particularly since Mr A. O. Hume, with a number of collectors, made a cruise round the islands in a steamer in 1873, which resulted in the discovery of many new species, and a careful analysis of the avifauna.
In spite of what is to be expected from their position, the islands derive the bulk of their species from the distant Indian region, while the Indo-Burmese and Indo-Malayan regions are represented to a far less degree.
One of the most striking features is the extreme paucity of rasorial birds--peafowl, junglefowl, pheasants, partridges, or any of the natural genera into which these divide, and which are all well represented in the Arakan Hills. The next point is the highly specialised character of the ornis, for, excluding waders and swimmers, more than a third of the species are peculiar to the islands; while still more remarkable is the extent to which it is localised in the several groups between which is nowhere a break of more than 80 miles. Even more noteworthy are the details: for instance, the Andaman _Hypothymis_, which, as a rule, is a very distinct form, is replaced in the Nicobars by one which, although not precisely identical with the Indian form, is far more closely allied to this than the Andaman _Tytleri_. Each group has its distinct harrier eagle, red-cheeked paroquet, oriole, sunbird, and bulbul. Two woodpeckers are peculiar to the Andamans, but neither extends to the Cocos or Nicobars. The latter group possesses three distinct but closely allied species of _Astur_, each confined to separate islands.
So far as the species not peculiar to the islands are concerned, the influence of the Indian sub-region has vastly predominated; and if we look to the genera the preponderance is still more marked, and thus it seems difficult to avoid the conclusion that the ornis has altogether a very far stronger affinity with that of the Indian region than with those of either the Indo-Burmese or the Indo-Malayan. Yet this involves great difficulties, for if we take Port Blair as a centre we shall find that its average distance in all directions north and east from Tenasserim (where the Indo-Malayan fauna predominates), and north of this from the Indo-Burmese sub-region, is less than half its distance from the nearest point of the Indian sub-region.
That so many of the characteristic birds of the Arakan Hills, especially the Rasores, should be entirely wanting, we may partly account for by the supposition that the mountains and the chain of islands never were continuous, and that the same agency that raised the Arakan Hills only raised portions of their continuation above the sea-level, so that, therefore, the islands have never been connected with Pegu. If, however, the groups first appeared and have ever since remained as detached islands, it is inconceivable how the great bulk of the work of colonisation should have gone on from a region so distant while so little should have been done from others less than half as far away.
Colonisation in no ordinary sense, however, can explain these facts. But the case of Sumatra, which, although only 80 miles distant from Great Nicobar, and itself the first link of a great chain, teems right up to Acheen Head with species unknown to the Nicobars, is perfectly comprehensible in the light of our knowledge of the deep sea existing between it and these latter islands.[221]
If we conclude that the avifauna of the islands of the Bengal Sea is essentially Indian and not Indo-Burmese and Indo-Malayan, we must accept the fact with the qualification that we find it here in a most imperfect and mutilated form, lacking more or less entirely a large proportion of its characteristic genera, many of which are the strongest and most widely distributed, and to which the climate would appear in every way congenial.[222]
_List of Birds occurring in the Andamans and Nicobars._[223]
(A. denotes occurrence in the Andamans, N. in the Nicobars.)
Corvus macrorhyncus, Wagl. A. Dendrocitta bayleyi, Tytler A. Zosterops palpebrosa, Temm. A. N. Irena puella, Lath. A. Otocompsa emeria, Linn. A. N. Iole nicobarica, Moore N. Micropus fusciflavescens, Hume A. Dicrurus annectens, Hodgs. N. D. leucogenys, Wald. N. Dissemuroides andamanensis, Tytler A. D. dicruriformis, Hume A. D. paradiseus, Linn. A. N. Locustella certhiola, Pall. A. N. L. lanceolata, Temm. A. Cisticola cursitans, Frankl. N. Arundinax aedon, Blyth A. N. Phylloscopus fuscatus, Blyth A. Acanthopneuste magnirostris, Blyth A. A. borealis, Blas. A. A. lugubris, Blyth A. A. tennilipes, Swinhoe N. Horornis pallidipes, Blanf. A. Lanius cristatus, Linn. A. L. lucionensis, Linn. A. N. Pericrocrotus andamanensis, Tytler A. P. peregrinus, Linn. A. P. cinereus, Lafr. A. Campophaga terat, Bodd. N. Grauculus macii, Less. A. G. dobsoni, Ball A. Artamus leucogaster, Val. A. Oriolus macrurus, Blyth A. O. andamanensis, Tytler A. O. melanocephalus, Linn. A. Eulabes intermedia, Hay A. N. Calornis chalybeus, Horsf. A. N. Pastor roseus, Linn. A. Sturnia andamanensis, Tytler A. S. erythropygia, Blyth N. Agropsar sturninus, Pall. N. Acridotheres tristis, Linn. A. N. Muscitrea griseola, Blyth A. Anthipes olivaceus(?), Hume A. Alseonax latirostris, Raffl. A. Terpsiphone nicobarica, Oates A. N. Hypothymis azurea, Bodd. N. H. tytleri, Beaven A. Pratincola maura, Pall. A. Cyanecula suecica, Linn. A. Copsycus saularis, Linn. A. Cittincola albiventris, Blyth A. Merula obscura, Gemel. A. Geocichla sibirica, Pall. A. G. albigularis, Blyth N. G. andamanensis, Wald. A. Petrophila solitaria, Mull. A. N. Urolonga semistriata, Hume N. U. fumigata, Wald. A. Passer domesticus, Linn. A. Emberiza pusilla, Pall. A. E. aureola, Pall. N. Hirundo rustica, Linn. A. N. H. javanica, Sparmm. A. Motacilla leucopsis, Gould A. M. melanope, Pall. A. N. M. borealis, Sundev. A. N. M. flava, Linn. A. N. Liminodromus indicus A. N. Anthus richardi, Vieill A. A. cervinus, Pall. A. N. AEthopyga nicobarica, Hume N. Arachnechthra andamanica, Hume A. Dicaeum virescens, Hume. A. Dendrocopus andamanensis, Blyth A. Thriponax hodgii, Blyth A. Eurystomus orientalis, Linn. A. Merops philippinus, Linn. N. Melittophagus swinhoii, Hume A. Alcedo ispida, Linn. A. N. A. beaveni, Wald. A. Ceyx tridactyla, Pall. A. N. Pelargopsis leucocephala, Gm. N. P. guarial, Pearson A. Halcyon saturatior, Hume A. H. pileata, Bodd. A. N. H. davisoni, Sharpe A. H. occipitalis, Blyth N. Calliacyon liliacina, Swains. A. N. Rhytidoceros narkondami, Hume A. Cypselus apus, Linn. A. C. subfurcatus, Blyth A. Chaetura indica, Hume A. Collocalia innominata, Hume A. C. francica, Gmel. A. N. C. inexpectata, Hume. N. C. linchii, Horsf. and M. A. N. Caprimulgus andamanensis, Hume A. Lyncornis cerviniceps(?), Gould A. Cuculus canorus, Linn. A. C. saturatus, Hodgs. A. N. C. micropterus, Gould A. Chrysococcyx xanthorynchus, Horsf. A. N. C. maculatus, Gmel. A. N. Eudynamus honorata, Linn. A. N. Centropus euryceros, Hay N.(?) C. andamanensis, Tytler A. Palaeornis magnirostris, Ball A. P. fasciatus, Muell. A. P. caniceps, Blyth N. P. erythrogenys, Blyth N. P. tytleri, Hume A. Loriculus vernalis, Sparmm. A. (N.?) Strix flammea, Linn. A. Syrnium sp.(?) seloputo, Horsf. A. (N.?) Ketupa sp.(?) javanensis(?), Less. A. Scops nicobarica, Hume N. S. balli, Hume N. Ninox affinis, Tytler A. N. N. obscura, Hume A. N. N. scrutulata, Raffl. N. Spizaetus andamanensis, Hume A. Spilornis davisoni, Hume A. N. S. minimus, Hume N. S. elgini, Tytler A. Haliaetus leucogaster, Gmel. A. N. Milvus govinda, Sykes A. Circus cineraceus, Montagu A. C. aeruginosus, Linn. A. Astur soloensis, Horsf. N. A. butleri, Gurney N. Accipiter nisus, Blanf. A. A. virgatus, Reinw. A. N. Falco peregrinus, Linn. A. N. Tinnunculus alandarius, Gmel. A. Microhierax latifrons, Sharpe N.(?) Osmotreron chloroptera, Blyth A. N. Carpophaga aenea, Linn. A. C. insularis, Blyth N. Myristicivora bicolor, Scop. A. N. Caloenas nicobarica, Linn. A. N. Chalcophaps indica, Linn. A. N. Alsocomus palumboides, Hume A. N. Turtur tigrinus, Temm. N.(?) T. cambayensis, Gm. A. AEnopopelia tranquebarica, Herm. A. Macropygia rufipennis, Blyth A. N. Excalfactoria chinensis, Linn. N. Francolinus pondicerianus, Gm. A. Megapodius nicobaricus, Blyth N. (A.?) Turnix albiventris, Hume N. Hypotoenidia obscuria, Hume A. N. Porzana pusilla, Pall. A. Rallina canningi, Tytler A. Amaurornis phoenicurus, Penn. A. N. Gallicrex cinerea, Gm. A. Esacus magnirostris, Geoffr. A. Dromas ardeola, Paykull A. N. Glareola orientalis, Leach A. N. Strepsilas interpres, Linn. A. N. Microsarcops cinereus, Blyth A. Charadrius fulvus, Gm. A. N. Squatarola helvetica, Linn. A. AEgialitis geoffroyi, Wagl. A. N. AE. mongolica, A. N. AE. vereda, Gould A. AE. dubia, Scop. A. Numenius arquata, Linn. A. N. N. phaeopus, Linn. A. N. Terekia cinerea, Gueldenst. A. Totanus hypoleucus, Linn. A. N. T. glareola, Gm. A. T. ochropus, Linn. A. T. calidris, Linn. A. T. glottis, Linn. N. Tringa ruficollis, Pall. A. N. T. suminuta, Middend. A.(?) T. crassirostris, Temm. and Schl. A. T. subarquata, Gueldenst. A. N. T. platyrhyncha, Temm. A. Gallinago coelestis, Frenzel A. G. stenura, Kuhl. A. N. G. gallinula, Linn. A. Hydrochelidon leucoptera, Meisner and Schinz. A. Sterna anglica, Mont. A. S. dougalli, Mont. A. S. media, Horsf. A. N. S. melanauchen, Temm. A. N. S. anaestheta, Scop. A. Anous stolidus, Linn. A. A. leucocapillus, Gould A. Pelecanus philippinus, Gm. A. N. Phaethon indicus, Hume A. P. flavirostris A. P. rubicauda, Bodd. N. Oceanites oceanus, Kuht(?) A. Ardea manillensis, Sharpe A. N. Herodias intermedia, Wagl. A. N. H. gazetta, Linn. A. (N.?) Bubulcus coromandus, Bodd. A. Lepterodius sacer, Gm. A. N. Ardeola grayi, Sykes A. A. bacchus, Bonap. A. Buteroides javanica, Horsf. A. N. Nycticorax griseus, Linn. N. Goisakius melanolophus, Raffl. N. Ardetta sinensis, Gm. A. N. A. cinnamomea, Gm. A. N. Dendrocygna javanica, Horsf. A. N. Nettopus coromandelianus, Gm A. Nettium crecca, Linn. A. N. N. albigulare, Hume A.
The following new additions should now be made to the above to complete the known list of Andaman and Nicobar avifauna:--
Zosterops sp. Kar Nicobar. Sturnia sp. Kachal, Nicobars. Rhinomyias sp. Great and Little Nicobar. Arachnechthra sp. Nicobars. Pitta sp. Great and Little Nicobar. Ninox sp. Little Nicobar. Spilornis sp. Great Nicobar. Astur sp. Kachal, Nicobars. Osmotreron sp. South Andaman. Excalfactoria sp. Trinkat, Nicobars.
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
AVERAGE WIND AND WEATHER IN THE ANDAMANS
October Variable wind and weather; water-spouts.
November The first half of the month the same as October, afterwards N.E. monsoon and little rain. A cyclone is almost certain to occur in November.
December Fresh N.E. monsoon; fairly cool.
January Cool and pleasant; N.E. winds; nights sometimes foggy.
February Cool and pleasant; very clear; light airs.
March Hot by day, cool nights, light airs; occasional haze.
April Very hot; calm and hazy.
May S.W. monsoon sets in about the 15th.
June S.W. monsoon; cool, squally.
July } } Do. do. do. August }
September Rain every day, S.W. winds.
--_Bay of Bengal Pilot_, 1892.
APPENDIX B
PRINCIPAL FOREST TREES OF THE ANDAMANS
DILLENIACEAE-- Dillenia aurea, _Sm._ D. parviflora, _Griff._ D. pentagyna, _R._
ANONACEAE-- Polyalthia Jenkinsii, _Bth._ P. macrophylla, _H.f._ Alfonsea ventricosa, _H.f._
POLYGALEAE-- Xanthophyllum glaucum, _Wall._
HYPERICINEAE-- Cratoxylum formosum, _Bth. & H.f._
GUTTIFERAE-- Garcinia speciosa, _Wall._ G. Cowa, _R._ G. xanthochymus, _Hk. f._ Calophyllum spectabile, _Willd._ C. inophyllum, _L._ Mesua ferrea, _L._
DIPTEROCARPEAE-- Dipterocarpus turbinatus, _Gaertn._ D. pilosus, _R._ D. alatus, _R._ D. Griffithii, _Miq._
MALVACEAE-- Bombax malabaricum, _D. C._ B. insigne, _Wall._ Eriodendron anfractuosum, _D. C._
STERCULIACEAE-- Sterculia foetida, _L._ S. villosa, _R._ S. parviflora, _R._ S. colorata, _R._ S. alata, _R._ S. campanulata, _Wall._ Heritiera littoralis, _Dry._ H. Fomes, _Buch._ Buettneria aspera, _Col._
TILIACEAE-- Elaeocarpus Helferi, _Kz._
RUTACEAE-- Murraya exotica, _L._ Aegle Marmelos, _Cor._
OCHNACEAE-- Ochna Wallichii, _Pl._
BURSERACEAE-- Garuga pinnata, _R._ Canarium euphyllum, _Kz._ C. coccineo-bracteatum, _Kz._
MELIACEAE-- Chisocheton grandiflorus, _Kz._ Amoora Rohituka, _W. & A._ A. cucullata, _R._ Walsura hypoleuca, _Kz._ W. villosa, _Wall._ W. robusta, _R._ Carapa moluccensis, _Lamk._ Cedrela Toona, _R._
CELASTRINEAE-- Salacia prinoides, _D. C._
RHAMNEAE-- Zizyphus Jujuba, _Lamk._ Z. [OE]noplia, _Mill._ Z. rugosa, _Lamk._
SAPINDACEAE-- Erioglossum edule, _Bl._ Cupania Lessertiana, _Camb._ Pometia tomentosa, _Kz._ Harpullia cupanoides, _R._
ANACARDIACEAE-- Mangifera sylvatica, _R._ Bouea burmanica, _Griff._ Odina Wodier, _R._ Parishia insignis, _Hk. f._ Semecarpus heterophylla, _Bl._ Spondias mangifera, _Willd._ Dracontomelum mangiferum, _Bl._
LEGUMINOSAE-- Erythrina indica, _Lamk._ Dalbergia latifolia, _R._ Pterocarpus indicus, _Willd._ Pongamia glabra, _Vent._ Peltophorum ferrugineum, _Bth._ Cassia Fistula, _L._ C. renigera, _Wall._ Cynometra ramiflora, _L._ Afzelia retusa, _Kz._ A. bijuga, _A. Gray._ A. palembanica, _Baker._ Adenanthera pavonina, _L._ Albizzia Lebbek, _Bth._ A. stipulata, _Boiv._
ROSACEAE-- Prunus martabanica, _Wall._
SAXIFRAGAGEAE-- Polyosma integrifolia, _Bl._
RHIZOPHOREAE-- Rhizophora mucronata, _Lamk._ R. conjugata, _L._ Ceriops Candolleana, _Arn._ Bruguiera gymnorhiza, _Lamk._ B. parviflora, _W. & A._
COMBRETACEAE-- Terminalia procera, _R._ T. Catappa, _L._ T. bialata, _Kz._ Lumnitzera racemosa, _Willd._ Gyrocarpus Jacquini, _R._
MYRTACEAE-- Eugenia javanica, _Lamk._ E. claviflora, _R._ E. leptantha, _Wgt._ E. jambolana, _Lamk._ Barringtonia speciosa, _Forst_ B. racemosa, _Bl._ Careya arborea, _R._ Planchonia littoralis, _Vau._
MELASTOMACEAE-- Memecylon pauciflorum, _Bl._
LYTHRACEAE-- Pemphis acidula, _Forst._ Lagerstroemia calyculata, _Kz._ L. hypoleuca, _Kz._ Duabanga sonneratioides, _Ham._ Sonneratia acida, _L. f._ S. alba, _Sm._
DATISCACEAE-- Tetrameles nudiflora, _R. Br._
RUBIACEAE-- Mussaenda macrophylla, _Wall._ M. frondosa, _L._ Randia densiflora, _Bth._ R. exaltata, _Griff._ Gardenia turgida, _R._ Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea, _Goertn._ Guettarda speciosa, _L._ Timonius Jambosella, _Thw._ Morinda citrifolia, _L._
GOODENOVIREAE-- Scaevola Koenigii, _Vhl._
PLUMBAGINEAE-- AEgialitis rotundifolia, _R._
MYRSINEAE-- Maesa andamanica, _Kz._ M. ramentacea, _D. C._ AEgiceras majus, _Goertn._
SAPOTACEAE-- Bassia caloneura, _Kz._ Mimusops Elengi, _L._ M. littoralis, _Kz._ M. hexandra, _R._
EBENACEAE-- Diospyros pilulosa, _Wall._ D. Kurzii, _Hiern._ D. oleifolia, _Wall._
APOCYNACEAE-- Ochrosia borbonica, _Gmel._ Cerbera Odollam, _Goertn._ Alstonia Kurzii, _H. kf._
LOGANIACEAE-- Fagraea racemosa, _Jack._ F. fragrans, _R._
BORAGINEAE-- Ehretia laevis, _R._
BIGNONIACEAE-- Oroxylum indicum, _Vent._ Dolichandrone Rheedii, _Seem._ Heterophragma adenophyllum, _Seem._ Pajanelia Rheedii, _D. C._
VERBENACEAE-- Premna integrifolia, _L._ Gmelina arborea, _L._ Avicennia officinalis, _L._
NYCTAGINEAE-- Pisonia alba, _Span._ P. excelsa, _Bl._
MYRISTICEAE-- Myristica andamanica, _Hk. f._ M. Irya, _Goertn._ M. glaucescens, _Hk. f._ M. laurina, _Bl._
LAURINEAE-- Cryptocarya andamanica, _Hk. f._ Dehaasia Kurzii, _King._ D. elongata, _Bl._ Cinnamomum obtusifolium, _Nees._ Litsaea sebifera, _Pers._ Hernandia peltata, _Meis._
EUPHORBIACEAE-- Briedelia tomentosa, _Bl._ Cleistanthus myrianthus, _Kz._ Glochidion calocarpum, _Kz._ G. andamanicum, _Kz._ Hemicyclia andamanica, _Kz._ Cyclostemon macrophyllum, _Bl._ Aporosa villosula, _Kz._ A. Roxburghii, _Biall._ A. martabanicum, _Presh._ Baccaurea sapida, _M. Arg._ Mallotus Kurzii, _Hk. f._ M. acuminatus, _M. Arg._ M. andamanicus, _Hk. f._ M. philippinensis, _M. Arg._ Cleidion javanicum, _Bl._ C. nitidum, _Thw._ Macaranga indica, _Wgt._ M. Tanarius, _M. Arg._ Homonoia riparia,_ Lour._ Excoecaria Agallocha, _L._
URTICACEAE-- Celtis Wightii, _Pl._ Trema amboinensis, _Bl._ Gironniera subaequalis, _Pl._ G. lucida, _Kz._ Ficus gibbosa, _Bl._ F. altissima, _Bl._ F. glaberrima, _Bl._ F. indica, _L._ F. Benjamina, _L._ F. retusa, _L._ F. Tjakela, _Borm._ F. callosa, _Willd._ Artocarpus Chaplasha, _R._ A. Lakoocha, _R._
SALICINEAE-- Salix tetrasperma, _R._
CONIFERAE-- Podocarpus neriifolia, _Don._
CYCADACEAE-- Cycas Rumphii, _Miq._
PALMEAE-- Arec triandra, _R._ Pinanga Manii, _Becc._ P. Kuhlii, _Bl._ Caryota mitis, _Lour._ Nipa fruticans, _Wurmb._ Phoenix paludosa, _R._ Corypha macropoda, _Kz._ Licuala peltata, _R._ L. spinosa, _Wurmb._ Calamus longisetus, _Griff._ C. andamanicus, _Kz._ C. palustris, _Griff._
PANDANEAE-- Pandanus andamanensium, _Kz._ P. fascicularis, _Lam._ P. Leram, _Jones._
GRAMINEAE-- Bambusa schizostachyoides, _Kz._ Oxytenanthera nigrociliata, _Munro._ Dinachloa Tjankorreh, _Buese._
--Supp., _And. and Nic. Gazette_, April 1900.
APPENDIX C
NOTES ON THE PRODUCE OF THE ANDAMANESE FORESTS
The following is a list of some of the more useful and valuable woods:--
Padouk } Pterocarpus Indicus } Koko } Albizzia Lebbek } For furniture. Chuglam, Black } Myristica Irya } Marble wood } Diospyros Kurzii }
Padouk } Pterocarpus Indicus } Gangaw } Mesua ferrea } Toung-peingne } Artocarpus Chaplasha } Pyimma } Lagerstroemia hypoleuca } Thingan } Hopea odorata } For building. Lakuch } Artocarpus Lakucha } Thitmin } Podocarpus bracteata } Gurjan } Dipterocarpus sp. } Mohwa } Mimusops littoralis }
Bombway } Careya arborea } Gangaw } Mesua ferrea } Mohwa } Mimusops littoralis } Probably useful for Pyimma } Lagerstroemia hypoleuca } paving-blocks. Lakuch } Artocarpus Lakucha } Gurjan } Dipterocarpus sp. } Thingan } Hopea odorata }
Gurjan } Dipterocarpus sp. } Didu } Bombax insigne } For tea-boxes, Toung-peingne } Artocarpus Chaplasha } indigo boxes, and Thitmin } Podocarpus bracteata } packing-cases. And numerous } Barringtonia sp. } other woods
Padouk } Pterocarpus Indicus } For gun-carriages and Pyimma } Lagerstroemia hypoleuca } carriage work. Thingan } Hopea odorata }
Padouk } Pterocarpus Indicus } For shafts. Gangaw } Mesua ferrea }
Lakuch } Artocarpus Lakucha } Probably useful Thitmin } Podocarpus bracteata } for oars.
Satin wood } Murraya exotica } In place of boxwood.
Mangrove } sp. } For firewood.
The Madras and Bombay Government gun-carriage factories are supplied with Andamanese timber, which, so far, is understood to have given them satisfaction. Such timber has been sent to Roorkee for the Military Gymnasium, as being the best suited in India for its purposes. The Indian Marine Department also takes it regularly. Andamanese timber has also been supplied to Woolwich Arsenal. These facts show that Andamanese timber is of value to such establishments as gun-carriage factories, arsenals, gymnasia, and ship-building yards.
For various reasons, most of the Andamanese timbers will probably be found to be best marketable in a converted form. It is believed that such converted timbers will be found useful for six large trades at least, viz., paving wood-blocks, gun-stocks, pianoforte manufacture, furniture, organ building--for which _Padouk_ is pre-eminently suitable--and electric light and telephone fittings. If _Gurjan_ should turn out, as is believed to be probable, to be of use for paving wood-blocks, then the supply would be very large.
Two forms of converted timbers may be specially noticed as probably marketable in large quantities, viz., railway sleepers, and tea shooks. It is believed that there are several timbers which would stand the strain of railway traffic; and as regards tea shooks, _Gurjan_ is used for this purpose in some mills in Assam, and of this particular wood there is an unlimited supply all over the Andamans, which could probably be delivered locally at a price which would enable it to compete well in Indian markets with other timbers used for tea-boxes.
The supply of mangrove billets for firewood, at points where it can be easily and cheaply shipped, is very large in the Andamans, and it is thought possible that a very profitable and lasting Indian trade might be established in firewood.
At present, no trade exists at all in gurjan oil, and, as above stated, the supply of _Gurjan_ trees is unlimited. It is believed that the supply of _Gurjan_ in India has largely been worked out, therefore that in the Andamans should become valuable. A small quantity of gurjan oil is extracted in the Settlement and used chiefly for mixing with earth oil for application to shingle roofs. The uses to which this oil is put are so many that the possibility of a profitable trade in the Andamanese supply seems to be beyond question.
For the construction of houses, bridges, and jetties, the following species are chiefly used in the Settlement:--
_Padouk._--Posts, trusses, purlins, common rafters, battens, floor and wall planking, shingles, doors, and windows.
_Koko._--Joists, common rafters, battens, fillets, floor-planking, doors, and windows.
_White Chuglam._--Floor and ceiling planking.
_Pyimma._--Posts, joists, common rafters, purlins, frames, floor and wall planking, shingles.
_Lakuch and Mowha._--Posts, girders, beams, and purlins.
_Gangaw._--Posts, girders of bridges, 3-inch planking over sluices, and sluice-gates.
_Thitmin._--Inside walling and jambs, shelves, and any light work.
* * * * *
In boat-building the following species are used by the Marine Department:--
_Padouk._--Hull planks, keel, stem and stern posts, ribs of large boats, and thwarts.
_White Chuglam._--Oars.
_Pyimma._--Thwarts.
_Thitmin._--Masts and spars.
_Chooi._--Ribs of small boats.
For furniture, _Padouk_ and _Koko_ are chiefly used. _Didu_ is the only species utilised for the manufacture of tea-boxes at Port Blair. Bark for tanning purposes is obtained from various species of _Mangrove_ and from _Terminalia procera_. _Mangrove_ also gives the most suitable wood for use in the furnaces of the Settlement steam-launches.
Firewood for ordinary purposes is obtained from all hard-wood species other than those in demand for timber.
Gurjan _oil_ is obtained from three species of _Dipterocarpus_. The tapping operations extend from 1st January to 30th April. The daily outturn averages 7 lbs. per man, the greatest flow of oil taking place in the month of March. The mixture used for steeping house-shingles consists of 3 lbs. of gurjan oil to 1 lb. of earth oil and 1 lb. of Alford's metallic paint.
The minor produce of the Andamans comprises several useful species of bamboo and cane, used in house-building and in the construction of furniture, rattan roots for walking-sticks, and two species of palm (_Nipa fruticans_ and _Licuala peltata_), the leaves of which are used for thatching.
The inner bark of _Sterculia villosa_ is used for making ropes for timber-dragging purposes.
With regard to the capabilities of the forests for export purposes, there is an abundance of mature and over-mature _Padouk_ throughout the Andamans. Gurjan oil trees, _Gangaw_ (the Assam "Ironwood"), suitable for sleepers, and _Didu_, suitable for tea-box planking, are extremely abundant. For the extraction of these species labour alone is required.
The forests are situated, in most cases, on the coast, or on or near to navigable creeks leading to the sea, and are capable of easy and economical working.--_Andaman and Nicobar Gazette._
APPENDIX D
CENSUS, ANDAMAN ISLANDS, 1901
ANDAMANESE
+-----------+-----------------+-----------------+--------+--------------+ | Name of | ADULTS. | CHILDREN. | | | | Tribe. +-------+---------+-------+---------+ Total. | Remarks. | | | Male. | Female. | Male. | Female. | | | +-----------+-------+---------+-------+---------+--------+--------------+ | | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. | | | Chariar | 16 | 15 | 6 | 2 | 39 | | | Kora | 31 | 32 | 14 | 19 | 96 | Lately | | | | | | | | discovered. | | Tabo | 15 | 16 | 7 | 10 | 48 | Hitherto | | | | | | | | unknown. | | Yere | 98 | 80 | 26 | 14 | 218 | | | Kede | 24 | 30 | 3 | 2 | 59 | | | J[=u]wai | 21 | 19 | 7 | 1 | 48 | | | Kol | 6 | 2 | 3 | ... | 11 | | | Bojig-yab | 31 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 50 | | | Balawa | 5 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 19 | | | B[=e]a | 14 | 16 | 3 | 4 | 37 | | | Jarawa | 280 | 210 | 55 | 40 | 585 | Estimated. | | Oenge | 303 | 273 | 63 | 33 | 672 | Do. | +-----------+-------+---------+-------+---------+--------+--------------+ | TOTAL | 844 | 717 | 192 | 129 | 1882 | | +-----------+-------+---------+-------+---------+--------+--------------+
The number of children among the Andamanese is probably understated. The census operations have brought to light a new tribe, the Tabo of North Andaman, and have proved the recently discovered Kora tribe to be comparatively numerous. In explanation of the small numbers of the newly discovered Tabo tribe, the census party were informed that when a contagious disease was recently introduced among the Tabos by the Chariar or Kora tribes of the coast, they proceeded to kill off all those attacked until very few of the tribe were left.--Supp., _And. and Nic. Gazette_, March 2, 1901.
The foreign residents number 16,106 (viz., 4102 free and 12,004 convict), who are all located at or near Port Blair; but as the amount is arrived at by deducting the Andamanese and the natives of the Nicobars from the total population of the two groups, allowance must be made for inaccuracy due to estimation only of the Jarawas, Oenges, and Shom Pe[.n].
Average height of men 4 ft. 10-3/4 ins. Average weight " 98-1/8 lbs. _Men._ Maximum 5 ft. 4-1/4 ins. Minimum 4 " 5-3/4 "
Average height of women 4 ft. 7-1/4 ins. Average weight " 93-1/4 lbs. _Women._ Maximum 4 ft. 11-1/2 ins. Minimum 4 " 4 "
--E. H. Man, _Andaman Islanders_.
APPENDIX E
GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS, PORT BLAIR
The daily average number of pupils on the rolls of the Settlement schools for 1900 was 229--190 boys and 39 girls. The daily percentage of attendance was about 92 of both sexes.
Of the former attending the schools, 133 were the children of free persons and ex-convicts, and the remainder were of convict parentage. With the exception of 6, all the girls were of the latter class.
Inquiry shows that the percentage of boys attending the schools, born of free parents, is about 36 to the 20 born of convict parents, who remove their sons from school immediately the compulsory limit of age (12 years) is passed.
The number of schools in the Settlement is seven, and the teaching staff consists of--six vernacular masters, including a gymnastic instructor, one assistant English master, fifteen vernacular assistant teachers and monitors, five sewing masters and mistresses, one carpenter, and a blacksmith.
The highest class in the English is the fifth, and in the vernacular school the sixth, in which mensuration and transliteration from Urdu into Roman characters are taught. The curriculum adopted is that in vogue in the Punjab. All vernacular education, as well as instruction, in the Industrial School is granted free of charge, but a fee of 1 rupee per month is imposed on those who are taught English.
There were 82 boys in the Industrial School learning both carpenter's and blacksmith's work, and the earnings during nine months amounted to Rs. 56. It is proposed to teach boys who are not strong enough for the above trades the use of the sewing-machine, with a view to turning them into tailors.
The girls do not make much progress in their literary studies, but their work in the sewing classes is more satisfactory. The reason for this is that free persons and ex-convicts do not send their girls to school, and convict parents withdraw their daughters as soon as they reach their tenth year. Efforts are made to overcome the prejudices of the parents, but without success. There are many difficulties in this matter with regard to native children, and at present it can only be hoped that by degrees prejudices will gradually break down, and the girls be allowed to make a better start in life than they are at present given.
In Port Blair the locally born of both sexes may be fairly described, as a whole, as astonishingly wicked. Their delight is to do mischief, and to worry each other and their elders in an ingenious variety of underhand and crooked ways, including the perverse and fruitless lawsuit. It is very much better that their minds should be turned on athletic sports and games, while they can still join in them, than on such matters as these; and hence grounds for cricket and football with all requisites have been granted, and a gymnastic instructor has been obtained for teaching the boys. It is believed that satisfactory progress is made, and that much benefit will be derived from the lately established gymnasium, in which 100 boys are (1901) being trained.
APPENDIX F
MEASUREMENTS OF SOME NATIVES OF LITTLE ANDAMAN MET AT RUTLAND ISLAND
A B C Height 64-3/4 inches. 63-1/4 inches. 62 inches. Fathom 66-5/8 " 64-3/8 " 63 " Chest 33-1/2 " 31-5/8 " 31-3/8 " Length of Hand 7-5/8 " 7-1/4 " 6-1/2 " " Arm 29-3/16 " 28-1/2 " 28 " " Foot 9-7/8 " 9-1/2 " 9-1/8 " " Leg 38-1/4 " 36-3/4 " 35-3/4 " Girth of Thigh 18-7/8 " 17-1/8 " 18-1/2 " " Shin 12-1/4 " 11-3/8 " 11-9/16 " " Forearm 10-1/8 " 9-1/2 " 9-7/8 " " Biceps, arm } straight } 10-3/8 " 9-5/8 " 9-1/2 "
APPENDIX G
PRINCIPAL FLORA OF THE NICOBARS
DILLENIACEAE. Dillenia pilosa, _Kz._ Little Nicobar Interior.
ANONACEAE. Anona muricata, _L._ Around villages Cultivated. A. squamosa, _L._ Do. Do.
BIXINEAE. Bixa Orellana, _L._ Malacca village Do. Flacourtia sepiaria, _Roxb._ Nancowry Interior.
GUTTIFERAE. Garcinia speciosa, _Wall._ Northern islands Do. Calophyllum spectabile, Little Nicobar Do. _Willd._ C. inophyllum, _L._ Northern islands Beach forest.
DIPTEROCARPEAE. Hopea odorata, _Roxb._ Menchal Interior.
MALVACEAE. Hibiscus tiliaceus, _L._ All islands Beach forest. Thespesia populnea, _Corr._ Do. Do. Gossipium sp. Malacca Cultivated. Kydia calycina, _Roxb._ Northern islands Interior.
STERCULIACEAE. Sterculia campanulata, Teressa Do. _Wall._ S. villosa, _Roxb._ Little Nicobar Do. S. rubiginosa, _Vent._ Car Nicobar Do. Heritiera littoralis, All islands Beach forest. _Dryand._ Pterospermun acerifolium, Little Nicobar Interior. _Willd._
RUTACEAE. Paramignya citrifolia, _Hf._ Car Nicobar, Do. Little Nicobar Citrus medica, _L._ Villages Cultivated. C. decumana, _Willd._ Do. Do. AEgle Marmelos, _Correa._ Do. Do.
BURSERACEAE. Canarium euphyllum, _Kz._ Teressa Interior.
MELIACEAE. Carapa moluccensis, _Lamk._ Little Nicobar Maritime swamp. C. obovota, _Bl._ Do. Do. Amoora Ganggo, _Miq._ Do. Interior.
CELASTRINEAE. Salacia prinoides, _D. C._ Little Nicobar Interior.
RHAMNEAE. Zizyphus subquinquenerva, Little Nicobar Do. _Miq._
AMPELIDEAE. Vitis pedata, _Vhl._ Little Nicobar Do. Leea grandifolia, _Kz._ Do. and Nancowry Interior & beach forest. L. sambucina, _L._ Do. Do.
ANACARDIACEAE. Mangifera sylvatica, _Roxb._ Teressa Interior. Odina Wodier, _Roxb._ Nancowry Beach forest. Semecarpus heterophyllus, All islands Beach forest and _Bl._ interior. Parishia insignis, _Hk. f._ Teressa Interior.
LEGUMINOSAE. Abrus precatorius, _L._ Malacca village Cultivated. Erythrina indica, _L._ Little Nicobar Interior. Flemingia strobilifera, Car Nicobar, Do. _Ait._ Nancowry Derris scandens, _Bth._ Little Nicobar Do. Pongamia glabra, _Vent._ All islands Beach forest. Peltoforum ferrugineum, Nancowry Do. _Vog._ Caesalpinia nuga, _Ait._ All islands Beach forest and mangrove swamp. Afzelia lijuga, _A. Gray_ C. Bonducella, _Roxb._ Do. Do. Tamarindus indica, _L._ Car Nicobar Cultivated. Entada scandens, _Bth._ Little Nicobar Interior. Albizzia stipulata, _Boiv._ Nancowry Do. on border of grass land. Adenanthera pavonina, _L._ Little Nicobar Interior. Pithecolobium sp. Do. Do. Desmodium sp. Do. Beach forest.
RHIZOPHOREAE. Rhizophora mucronata, _Lmk._ Little Nicobar Mangrove swamp. R. conjugata, _L._ Do. Do. Bruguiera gymnorhiza, _Lam._ Do. Do. Carallia sp.(?) Car Nicobar Interior.
COMBRETACEAE. Terminalia Catappa, _L._ All islands Interior. T. sp. (procera?) Do. Do. T. sp. (bialata?) Pulo Milo Do. Combretum sp. Car Nicobar Do. Lumnitzera racemosa, _Willd._
MYRTACEAE. Eugenia Javanica, _Lamk._ All islands Beach forest. Barringtonia speciosa, Do. Do. _Forst._ Do. racemosa, _D. C._ Car Nicobar Interior. Do. acutangula, _Gaertn._ Psidium guava, _Raddi._ Do. Cultivated.
MELASTOMACEAE. Melastoma malabathricum, _L._ Car Nicobar Interior.
PASSIFLOREAE. Carica papaya, _L._ Villages Cultivated.
RUBIACEAE. Pavetta indica, _L._ Little Nicobar Beach forest. Guettarda speciosa, _L._ All islands Do. Morinda citrifolia, _L._ Do. Do.
SAPOTACEAE. Mimusops littoralis, _Kz._ All islands Do. on rocky coasts.
APOCYNACEAE. Fagraea racemosa, _Jack._ Nancowry, Little Interior. Nicobar Cerbera Odollam, _Ham._ Car Nicobar, Beach forest. Little Nicobar Ochrosia salubris, _Mig._ Car Nicobar, Do. Little Nicobar Alstonia scholaris, _R. Br._ Car Nicobar Interior.
CONVOLVULACEAE. Ipomaea biloba, _Forsk._ All islands Sea beach.
SOLANEAE. Solanum torvum, _Sw._ Car Nicobar Village lands.
BIGNONIACEAE. Spathodea Rheedii, _Wall._ Little Nicobar, Beach forest. Nancowry
VERBENACEAE. Clerodendron inerme, _L._ Nancowry Interior, near grass land. Callicarpa longifolia, Car Nicobar Interior. _Lamk._
BORAGINEAE. Cordia subcordata, _Lamk._ All islands Beach forest. C. Myxa, _L._ Car Nicobar Inland. Tournefortia argentea, _L._ Little Nicobar Beach forest.
LAURACEAE. Cinnamomum obtusifolium, Little Nicobar, Interior. _N. E._ Nancowry Cassytha filiformis, _L._ Little Nicobar Do. Hernandia peltata, _Meissn._ Car Nicobar and Beach forest. other islands
ELAEAGNACEAE. Elaeagnus latifolia, _L._ Car Nicobar and Interior. other islands
MYRISTICACEAE. Myristica Irya, _Gaertn._ Little Nicobar, Interior. Nancowry
EUPHORBIACEAE. Croton argyratus, _Bl._ Nancowry Do. Macaranga Tanarius, _Muell. Teressa Beach forest. Arg._ Mallotus philippinensis, Do. Interior. _D. C._ Ricinus communis, _L._ Villages Cultivated.
URTICACEAE. Artocarpus integrifolia, _L._ Villages Cultivated. A. Chaplasha, _Roxb._ Nancowry Interior. A. Lakoocha, _D. C._ Do. Do. Ficus bengalensis, _L._ All islands Beach forest.
PIPERACEAE. Chavica Betle, _Miq._ All islands Beach forest, and cultivated.
CASUARINEAE. Casuarina equisetifolia, All islands Beach forest (clay _Forst._ bluffs).
CONIFERAE. Podocarpus cracteata, _Bl._ Camorta Interior.
CYCADACEAE. Cycas Rumphii, _Miq._ Car Nicobar, Beach and interior Nancowry, forests. Little Nicobar
PALMAE. Nipa fruticans, _Wurmb._ Little Nicobar Maritime swamp. Cocos nucifera, _L._ All islands Beach Forest. Areca Catechu, _L._ Do. Interior and cultivated. Ptychoraphis augusta, _L._ Do. Interior. Calamus gracilis, _Roxb._ Little Nicobar Do. Bentinckia Nicobarica, _Becc._
PANDANEAE. Pandanus Larum, _Jones_ All islands Beach forest. P. odoratissimus, _L. F._ Do. Do. P. furcatus, _Roxb._ Teressa Interior.
AROIDEAE. Colocasia indica, _L._ Villages Cultivated. Pothos scandens, _L._ Little Nicobar Interior.
SCITAMINEAE. Amomun Fenzlii, _Kz._ Little Nicobar Do.
ORCHIDEAE. Dendrobium anceps, _Sw._ Little Nicobar Interior. Vanda Teres, _Ldl._ Do. Do. Saccolabium obliquum, _Ldl._ Do. Do. Phalenopsis cornu-cervi, _Bl._ Do. Do.
AMARYLLIDEAE. Crinum asiaticum, _L._ Villages Cultivated and in beach forest.
LILIACEAE. Smilax polyacantha, _Wall._ Nancowry, Little Interior. Nicobar Flagellaria indica, _L._ Nancowry Do.
GRAMINEAE. Saccharum spontaneum, _L._ Northern islands Grass heaths. Eragrostis plumosa, _Lamk._ Do. Do. Imperata arundinacea, _Cyr._ Do. Do. Dinachloa andamanica, _Kz._ All islands Interior. Dendrocalamus Brandisii, _Kz._
FILICES. Gleichenia dichotoma, Teressa Grass heaths. _Willd._ Gl. sp. Little Nicobar Interior. Acrostichum scandens, Car Nicobar, etc. Do. _J. Sm._ A. aureum, _L._ All islands Beach forest. Polypodium adnascens, _Sw._ Northern Everywhere. Islands, etc. P. quercifolium, _L._ Do. Do.
--Supp., _And. and Nic. Gazette_, May 1897.
APPENDIX H
CENSUS, NICOBAR ISLANDS
Table Key:
A: Villages. B: Huts. C: Men. D: Women. E: Boys. F: Girls. G: Total. H: Foreigner. I: Villages. J: Huts. K: Population.
+----------------+---------------------------------------++--------------+ | | 1901. || 1886. | | Islands. +----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----++----+----+----+ | | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H || I | J | K | +----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----++----+----+----+ |Car Nicobar | 13| 748|1126| 999| 704| 622|3451| 181|| 13| .. |3500| |Chowra | 6| 130| 172| 178| 100| 72| 522| .. || 5| 94| 690| |Teressa | 11| 112| 179| 165| 158| 122| 624| .. || 8| 109| 571| |Bompoka | 2| 18| 29| 25| 16| 8| 78| .. || 2| 15| 86| |Camorta | 30| 98| 170| 164| 85| 69| 488| 7|| 26| 106| 359| |Nancowry | 13| 48| 93| 86| 24| 21| 224| 7|| 14| 78| 222| |Trinkat | 4| 25| 42| 39| 12| 9| 102| 1|| 8| 34| 85| |Kachal | 34| 64| 104| 109| 31| 37| 281| 1|| 37| 66| 183| |Great Nicobar | 15| 25| 42| 35| 6| 4| 87| 1|| 23| 45| 138| |Little Nicobar | | | | | | | | || | | | | and Pulo Milo | 15| 21| 25| 24| 7| 11| 67| 1|| 19| 27| 74| |Condul | 3| 8| 14| 14| 5| 5| 38| 1|| 3| 8| 27| | +----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----++----+----+----+ | Total | 146|1297|1996|1838|1148|980 |5962| 201|| 158| .. |5935| +----------------+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----++----+----+----+
From these figures it appears that, on the whole, the population has remained fairly stationary since the last census. With regard to Chowra, I am inclined to believe that the decrease is due not only to the fact that many of the natives have migrated to Camorta and other islands of the group, but to the number of the children now on the island having been understated to the enumerators. Much of the increase shown in the central group and Teressa is attributable to immigration, and very probably also to incorrect information having been furnished to the enumerators, either at this census or the last one. As to the Shom Pe[.n], it is still impossible to ascertain their numbers.--E. H. Man--Supp., _And. and Nic. Gazette_, March 2, 1901.
APPENDIX I
TRADE ARTICLES AND THEIR VALUE IN THE NICOBARS
List of the principal articles imported by the traders for sale to the Kar Nicobarese:--
Price in Coconuts. Nickel-silver soup-ladle 500 pairs. " long spoon 500 " " table spoon and fork 500 " " dessert spoon and fork 300 " " tea spoon and small fork 120 " " mustard spoon 200 " Tumblers 20-40 pairs, according to size. Decanters 60-80 " " " China plates 40-80 " " " " bowls 40-80 " " " Enamelled plates 40-80 " " " " cups 40-80 " " " Matches, packet of 12 boxes 24 pairs. Needles, 1 dozen 12 " Thread, 1 dozen balls 12 " Chinese tobacco, 1 packet 40 " Tobacco, 1 bundle 100 " Red cloth, 1 piece 1200 " " 1 piece (Turkey) 1600 " White calico, 1 piece 800 " Chinese black cloth, 1 piece 600 " Madras handkerchiefs, 1 piece 800-2000 pairs. Fancy coloured chintz and _saris_ -- " Bombay handkerchiefs -- Rice (1 bag of 2 maunds, Calcutta) 300-500 pairs. " (1 bag of 3 maunds, Burma) 500-600 " _Chattis_ and pots 10-40 " American knives 80-120 " " " clasp 20-60 " Burmese _daos_ 40-200 " Table knives 40-160 " Two-anna pieces 8 " Rupee 30-50 "
Wooden and tin clothes-boxes, looking-glasses, sugar, camphor, Epsom salts, Eno's fruit salt, turpentine, castor oil, cabin biscuits, etc.
APPENDIX J
PRESENTS AND BARTER
Articles found to be in demand during the cruise of the _Terrapin_:--
ANDAMANS--
Red cotton (_salu_), clay pipes, leaf tobacco, matches, rice, sugar, axe-heads, _parangs_, iron wire and scraps, files, long nails.
NICOBARS--
_Northern._ _Central._ _Southern Islands._ Cigars, cigarettes. Cigarettes. Cigarettes. Chinese and Javanese Chinese and Javanese Chinese and Javanese tobacco. tobacco. tobacco. Matches. Matches. Matches. Dried Fish. Dried fish. ... Turpentine, quinine, Turpentine, quinine, Turpentine, quinine, camphor, castor oil, camphor, castor oil, camphor, castor oil, scent, essential scent, essential scent, essential oils, oils, plaster. oils, plaster. plaster. Silver(?) wire. Silver(?) wire, Silver(?) wire. soup-ladles Red cotton. Red cotton. Red cotton. Cotton handkerchiefs. Cotton handkerchiefs. Cotton handkerchiefs. Old silk hats. Silk hats, Malay caps. Malay caps. Old clothes. Old clothes. Chinese cotton coats and trousers, _sarongs_. Biscuits and crusts. Rice. Rice. _Parangs_, knives, axes, beads, needles, thread, soap, old shoes.
APPENDIX K
MEASUREMENTS
+----+----------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ | No.| Shom Pe[.n]. |Height.|Fathom.| Chest.|Length |Length |Length |Length | | | | | | |of Arm.|of |of Leg.|of | | | | | | | |Hand. | |Foot. | | | | | | | | | | | +----+----------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ | | [Male] | | | | | | | | | 1 | Ga-it, aet. 40 |62-1/8 |62-7/8 |33-5/8 |24-1/4 |7-3/16 |34-1/8 |10-1/8 | | 2 | Nahau, " 40 |63-1/8 |66 |35-5/8 |28-3/4 |7-11/16|37-1/8 |10-3/8 | | 3 | Hatau, " 20 |64-3/4 |63-3/8 |35-5/8 |27-3/4 |7-7/16 |37-5/8 |10-5/8 | | 4 | Ru, " 25 |63-1/2 |65-3/4 |35-5/8 |27-3/4 |7 |34-5/8 |10-5/8 | | 5 | Tam, " 45 |62-7/8 |63-3/8 |34-1/8 |27-3/4 |7-7/16 |36-5/8 |10-1/8 | | 6 | " 40 |65-1/4 |67-3/4 |38-1/8 |29 |7-1/2 |38-1/2 |10-1/2 | | 7 | " 18 |64-1/4 |65-3/4 |33-5/8 |28-1/4 |7-1/4 |37-1/8 |10 | | 8 | " 22 |65-3/4 |65-1/4 |34-5/8 |28-1/4 |7-1/2 |38 |10-1/2 | | 9 | " 25 |65-1/4 |67-3/8 |36-5/8 |27-3/4 |7-1/2 |37-5/8 |10-1/2 | | 10 | " 18 |63-1/4 |64 |35-1/8 |27-3/4 |7-1/2 |37-1/8 |10-1/4 | | 11 | " 25 |67-3/4 |67-3/4 |35-5/8 |29-1/4 |7-3/4 |40-1/2 |11 | | 12 | " 40 |65-3/4 |62-1/2 |34-1/8 |27-1/2 |7-1/4 |38-5/8 |10-1/2 | | 13 | " 35 |65-1/4 |66-3/4 |37-1/8 |28-1/2 |7-1/2 |39-1/8 |11 | | 14 | " 20 |63-1/4 |63 |36-1/8 |26-3/4 |7 |39 |10 | | | +-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ | | Average adult | | | | | | | | | | male |64 |65.1 |35.2 |27.8 |7.3 |37.5 |10.4 | | | +-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ | | [Female]| | | | | | | | | 15 | K[=u]ng, aet.38 |62-5/8 |61-1/8 | ... |27 |7 | ... | 9-3/4 | | 16 | Morkoi, " 25 |61-5/8 |62-5/8 | ... |26-3/4 |7-7/16 | ... |10 | | 17 | Mnweuk, " 18 |58-3/8 |56-3/4 | ... |24-1/4 |6-1/2 | ... | 9 | | 18 | " 35 |65-1/4 |64-3/8 |32-3/16|27-3/4 |7-1/4 |37-5/8 | 9-3/4 | | 19 | " 35 |57-3/8 |57-3/8 | ... |24-3/4 |6-1/2 |33-5/8 | 9 | | 20 | " 18 |60-1/4 |59-7/8 |28-3/4 |26-3/4 |7 |35-1/8 | 9-1/2 | | 21 | " 35 |61-7/8 |62-3/4 |33-5/8 |27 |7-1/4 |35-3/4 |10 | | 22 | " 38 |59-3/8 |59-1/8 |30 |25 |6-3/4 |34-1/2 | 9-1/2 | | | +-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ | | Average adult | | | | | | | | | | female |60.8 |60.5 |31.1 |26.1 |6.9 |35.3 | 9.6 | | | +-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+ | | [Male] | | | | | | | | | 23 | aet. 15 |59-7/8 |61-5/8 |30-1/4 |27 |7 |36-5/8 | 9-3/4 | | 24 | " 13 |58-3/8 |60-3/8 |30-1/4 |26-1/4 |7 |36-7/8 |10 | | 25 | " 11 |57-7/8 |57 |27-3/4 |23-3/4 |6-7/8 |35 |10 | | | | | | | | | | | | | [Female]| | | | | | | | | 26 | Ah-kai, aet. 15 |57-1/2 |55-1/2 | ... |24-3/4 |6 | ... | 9-1/4 | | 27 | Jeh, " 12 |56 |56 | ... |25 |6-1/2 | ... | 9-1/4 | | 28 | Kahng, " 10 |48-1/2 |48-1/2 | ... |20-3/4 |5-3/4 | ... | 8-1/4 | +----+----------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+
+----+------------+----------+----------+-------------------------------------+ | No.| Girth of | Girth of | Girth of | Remarks. | | | Biceps, | Forearm. | Calf. | | | | Contracted.| Arm | | | | | Arm Closed.| Straight.| | | +----+------------+----------+----------+-------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | 1 | 10 | 9-1/2 | 12 | | | 2 | 10-3/4 | 10 | 13-1/4 | | | 3 | 11 | 9-3/4 | 13 | | | 4 | 12 | 11 | 13-3/4 | Elephantiasis in the leg. | | 5 | 10-1/2 | 9-3/4 | 14 | | | 6 | 10-1/2 | 10 | 12-3/8 | Elephantiasis in the leg. | | 7 | 11-1/4 | 9-3/4 | 12-1/2 | | | 8 | 10-1/2 | 10-1/4 | 12-5/8 | Elephantiasis in the leg. | | 9 | 12-7/8 | 11 | 14-7/8 | | | 10 | 11-5/8 | 10 | 13-3/8 | | | 11 | 11-3/4 | 10-1/2 | 14 | | | 12 | 10-1/2 | 10 | 13-1/4 | | | 13 | 12 | 10 | 14 | | | 14 | 11-3/4 | 10 | 14-1/4 | | | +------------+----------+----------+ | | | | | | | | | 11.2 | 10.1 | 13.3 | inches. | | +------------+----------+----------+ | | | | | | | | 15 | ... | ... | ... | | | 16 | ... | ... | ... | | | 17 | ... | ... | ... | | | 18 | ... | ... | ... | Elephantiasis in the legs, goitrous.| | 19 | ... | ... | ... | Elephantasis in the legs. | | 20 | ... | ... | ... | | | 21 | ... | ... | ... | | | 22 | ... | ... | ... | | | +------------+----------+----------+ | | | | | | | | | ... | ... | ... | inches. | | +------------+----------+----------+ | | | | | | | | 23 | ... | ... | ... | Elephantiasis in the leg. | | 24 | ... | ... | ... | | | 25 | ... | ... | ... | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 26 | ... | ... | ... | | | 27 | ... | ... | ... | | | 28 | ... | ... |... | | +----+------------+----------+----------+-------------------------------------+
APPENDIX K--MEASUREMNETS--(_Continued_)
+----+--------------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------+--------+ | No.| Nicobarese. | Height.| Fathom.| Chest. | Length | Length | | | | | | | of Arm. | of | | | | | | | | Hand. | | | | | | | | | +----+--------------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------+--------+ | | [Male] | | | | | | | 1 | Kar Nicobarese, | 65 | 66 | 34-1/4 | 28-3/16 | 7-1/8 | | 2 | " | 66 | 69 | 39-1/8 | 29-7/8 | 7-3/8 | | 3 | " | 63 | 67 | 35 | 28-7/16 | 6-7/8 | | 4 | " | 65-1/4 | 66 | 35-3/4 | 28-7/16 | 7-3/8 | | 5 | " | 64-1/4 | 68-3/4 | 34-1/4 | ... | 7-3/4 | | 6 | " | 63-3/8 | 66-1/4 | 33 | ... | 6-7/8 | | 7 | " | 65-1/8 | 66-1/8 | 33-1/2 | ... | 7-3/4 | | 8 | " | 66-3/4 | 66-1/2 | 36-1/4 | 28-3/16 | 7-3/8 | | 9 | " | 64 | 65-1/2 | 36 | 27-7/16 | 6-7/8 | | 10 | " | 70-3/4 | 72 | 38-1/4 | 30-3/8 | 8-1/8 | | 11 | " | 63 | 65-1/2 | 36-1/2 | 28-3/8 | 7-1/8 | | 12 | " | 65-7/8 | 66-1/4 | 37-1/4 | 27 | 6-7/8 | | 13 | " | 66-3/4 | 69 | 33-3/8 | 29-1/8 | 7-3/8 | | 14 | " | 63-1/2 | 64-3/4 | 34-3/4 | 27-3/16 | 7-1/8 | | 15 | " | 61-1/4 | 64-1/2 | 34-3/4 | 27-1/2 | 6-7/8 | | | [Male] | | | | | | | 16 | Great Nicobarese, aet. 40 | 65-7/8 | 70-1/2 | 28-3/4 | 30-3/8 | 8-3/8 | | 17 | " " 45 | 63-7/8 | 67-3/8 | 34-1/8 | 29-7/16 | 7-5/8 | | 18 | " " 40 | 61-3/4 | 61-3/4 | 33-7/8 | 27-1/2 | 7 | | 19 | " " 19 | 60-3/4 | 64-3/4 | 29-3/8 | 27-1/2 | 7-3/8 | | 20 | " " 25 | 64-1/8 | 67-1/8 | 35-3/4 | 29-11/16| 8-1/8 | | 21 | " " 18 | 59-3/4 | 60-3/4 | 32-3/8 | 26-1/2 | 7-5/8 | | 22 | " " 50 | 67-1/2 | 69-1/4 | 37-1/8 | 30-1/4 | 8 | | 23 | " " 35 | 64-3/4 | 66-1/4 | 38-1/8 | 28-3/4 | 7-1/2 | | 24 | " " 55 | 60-3/8 | 64-1/4 | ... | 27-1/4 | 7 | | 25 | " " 28 | 62-3/4 | 65-1/4 | 38-1/4 | 28-1/4 | 7 | | 26 | " " 35 | 62-1/4 | 65-1/4 | 35-1/8 | 27-1/4 | 7-1/4 | | 27 | " " 22 | 64-1/4 | 64-1/4 | 35-1/8 | 27-3/4 | 7-1/2 | | 28 | " " 19 | 60-1/4 | 59-7/8 | 35-5/8 | 25-1/4 | 7 | | 29 | " " 55 | 64-3/4 | 66-1/4 | 34-5/8 | 28-3/4 | 7-3/4 | | 30 | " " 40 | 59-1/4 | 64-1/4 | 34-5/8 | 28-1/4 | 7 | | 31 | " " 30 | 62-3/4 | 63-1/4 | 36-1/8 | 26-3/4 | 7-1/4 | | 32 | " " 40 | 64-1/4 | 66-1/8 | 34-1/8 | 28-3/4 | 7-1/4 | | 33 | " " 40 | 64-1/4 | 65-3/4 | 37-7/8 | 27-3/4 | 7-3/8 | | 34 | " " 35 | 64-1/2 | 66-3/4 | 39-7/8 | 28-3/4 | 7-3/4 | | 35 | " " 20 | 63-1/4 | 66-1/4 | 35-1/8 | 27-1/4 | 7-1/2 | | 36 | " " 30 | 62-7/8 | 66-3/4 | 37-5/8 | 28-1/4 | 7-1/2 | | 37 | " " 25 | 61-3/8 | 65-1/4 | 35-7/8 | 26-3/4 | 7-1/4 | | 38 | " " 40 | 66 | 69 | 37-7/8 | 29-1/4 | 7-3/4 | | 39 | " " 40 | 62 | 62-7/8 | 36-1/8 | 26-3/4 | 7-1/4 | +----+--------------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------+--------+ | | Average adult male, | 63.9 | 66.1 | 35.3 | 28.1 | 7.3 | | | Nicobarese | | | | | | +----+--------------------------+--------+--------+--------+---------+--------+
+----+---------+----------+------------+-----------+----------+---------------+ | No.| Length | Length | Girth of | Girth of | Girth of | | | | of Leg. | of Foot. | Biceps, | Forearm. | Calf. | Remarks. | | | | | Contracted.| Arm | | | | | | | | Straight | | | +----+---------+----------+------------+-----------+----------+---------------+ | | | | | | | | | 1 | 39-1/8 | 9-5/16 | 11-3/4 | 10-1/8 | 13-7/16 | | | 2 | 38-5/8 | 10 | 13-1/4 | 11 | 14-11/16 | | | 3 | 36-1/4 | 9-9/16 | 10-1/2 | 10-1/8 | 13 | | | 4 | 38-3/8 | 9-13/16 | 12-3/4 | 10-7/8 | 14-3/16 | | | 5 | 38 | 10-5/16 | 12 | 10-1/4 | 13-15/16 | | | 6 | 38 | 9-1/8 | 11-1/4 | 10-1/2 | 13-13/16 | | | 7 | 39-1/4 | 9-9/16 | 11-3/4 | 10-7/8 | 14-1/16 | | | 8 | 37-1/4 | 9-13/16 | 12-1/4 | 10-3/4 | 13-3/4 | | | 9 | 38-1/4 | 9-13/16 | 11-3/4 | 10-1/8 | 13-1/4 | | | 10 | 41-1/8 | 11 | 12 | 11-1/4 | 14-5/8 | | | 11 | 36-1/2 | 10-1/16 | 11-3/4 | 10-5/16 | 13-1/4 | | | 12 | 36-3/4 | 10-1/16 | 12-1/2 | 10-3/4 | 14-3/16 | | | 13 | 38-1/4 | 10-1/16 | 10-1/8 | 9-5/8 | 12-1/4 | | | 14 | 35-7/8 | 9-13/16 | 10-9/16 | 9-3/8 | 13 | | | 15 | 35-7/8 | 9-13/16 | 10-13/16 | 10-1/8 | 13-15/16 | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 39-11/16| 10-9/16 | ... | ... | ... | | | 17 | 38 | 9-13/16 | ... | ... | ... | | | 18 | 36 | 9-3/8 | ... | ... | ... | | | 19 | 34-1/8 | 9-7/16 | ... | ... | ... | | | 20 | 38-1/2 | 10-5/16 | ... | ... | ... | | | 21 | 34-3/8 | 9-1/8 | 11-1/2 | 10-1/2 | 13-1/2 | | | 22 | 39-1/2 | 10 | 13 | 11-1/4 | 15 | | | 23 | 36-1/8 | 9-7/8 | 12 | 10-1/2 | 14-1/2 | | | 24 | 34-1/8 | 9 | 10-1/2 | 9-1/2 | 12-1/2 | Hernia. | | 25 | 36-7/8 | 9-1/4 | 12 | 10-1/2 | 13-1/4 | | | 26 | 37-5/8 | 9-3/4 | 11-1/2 | 10-1/4 | 13-3/4 | | | 27 | 35-5/8 | 10-1/4 | 11-1/4 | 10 | 14-1/2 | | | 28 | 34-5/8 | 9-1/2 | 12 | 10 | 13-1/2 | | | 29 | 36-5/8 | 10-1/4 | 11 | 9-1/4 | 13-1/4 | | | 30 | 35-5/8 | 9-1/2 | ... | ... | ... | | | 31 | 35-3/8 | 9-1/4 | 13-1/2 | 11-1/2 | 15-1/4 | | | 32 | 34-5/8 | 9-1/2 | 11-1/2 | 10 | 13. | | | 33 | 35-7/8 | 9-3/4 | 13-3/4 | 11-3/4 | 14-3/4 | | | 34 | 34-7/8 | 10 | 14-1/4 | 12-1/2 | 16. | | | 35 | 37-3/8 | 9-1/2 | 12 | 10 | 13. | | | 36 | 35-7/8 | 9-1/2 | 13 | 11 | 13-3/4 | | | 37 | 33-1/8 | 9-1/2 | 12-1/2 | 10-1/2 | 13-1/2 | | | 38 | 38-1/8 | 10 | 13-1/2 | 11 | 13-3/4 | | | 39 | 34-5/8 | 9-1/2 | 12-3/4 | 11-1/2 | 13-3/4 | | +----+---------+----------+------------+-----------+----------+---------------+ | | 36.9 | 10.2 | 11.9 | 10.5 | 13.8 | inches. | | | | | | | | | +----+---------+----------+------------+-----------+----------+---------------+
INDEX
A. = "Andamanese" or "Andaman Islands" N. = "Nicobarese" or "Nicobar Islands" K.N. = "Kar Nicobarese" or "Kar Nicobar" S.P. = "Shom Pe[.n]"
Aborigines of the Andaman Islands, the Seclusion, 173, 184 Remote migration, 184 Predatory voyages, 215 Kitchen-middens, 184
Aborigines of the Nicobar Islands, the Inhabitants of Nicobars two distinct ethnical groups, 215 The Shom Pe[.n], 215-220 Derivation, 215-217 Population, 215 Hostility to Nicobarese, 76, 215, 220 Appearance, 217, 218 Measurements of some Shom Pe[.n], 353, 354 Disposition, 220 Language, 220 Comparison of some Shom Pe[.n] and Nicobarese words, 155 Diseases, 220 Headmen, 219 Position of women, 220 Respective occupations of the sexes, 220 Rattan collecting, 219, 220 Dress and ornaments, 219 Huts, 218 Gardens, 218 Domestic animals, 219 Water-supply, 220 Trade, 219 Cultivations, 218 Manufactures, 219 Cloth, 219 Spears, 219, 243, 244 Baskets, 219 Cooking-vessel, 219 A possible origin of pottery, 219. _see_ "Great Nicobar"
Adoption, custom of, N., 84
_Ai-yu-a-kare_, K.N., 302
Aka-Balawa, tribe of, A., 17, 342
Ambergris, N., 252, 279
_Amhai_, K.N., 299
Amok, causes of, 312 Instances of, N., 312
Amusements, Port Blair, A., 20
Amusements, N., 251
_Amutna Kuv_, K.N., 302, 303
Anchorages. _See_ under names of islands
Andaman, Great. _See_ "Great Andaman"
Andaman Islands, the, 168 Position, 167 Relationship, 167, 168, 171, 321, 327 Soundings, 168, 320 Coral banks, 170 Area, 168 Geology, 174, 175, 176 Minerals, 176 Subsidence, 176 Volcanic action, 174 Earthquakes, 176 Climate, 173 Rainfall, 173 Temperature, 173 Cyclones, 174 Average wind and weather, 335 Scenery, 170 Mountains, 169 Harbours, 171 Flora, 171, 172 Principal forest trees, 336-338 Fauna Birds, 326-328 List of, occurring in the Andamans, 328-331 Mammals, 322-324 Synopsis of mammalian fauna, 325 History, 176-184 Origin of the name Andaman, 176 First known reference, 177 Chinese records, 177 Accounts of Arab travellers (A.D. 871), 177 Accounts of Marco Polo (thirteenth century), 177 Master Caesar Frederike (sixteenth century), 178 Dr Gemelli (seventeenth century), 178 Captain Alexander Hamilton (eighteenth century), 179, 180 Hon. East India Company's expeditions, 180 Establishment of a Penal Settlement (1789), 180 Transfer of the Penal Settlement (1792), 180 Colonel Syme's report (1795), 181 Abandonment of Settlement (1796), 181 Nineteenth century details, 181 Attempt at colonisation (1849), 181, 182 Dr Mouat's Commission (1857), 183 Re-establishment of Penal Settlement, 183 Andamans formed in a Commissionership with Nicobars (1871), 184 Natural products, 172, 199, 341 List of the more useful and valuable woods, 339 Cultivations, 172, 198, 200 Industries, 171, 172, 198, 199, 200, 339, 340, 341 Exports, 199, 339, 340 The Penal System, 193-199 Population, 192 Foreign residents, 342 Census (1901), 342 (For inhabitants, _see_ "The Andamanese." _See_ also "The Archipelago," "Barren Island," "The Cinques," "Great Andaman," "Little Andaman," "Narkondam," "Port Blair," "Rutland Island," "South Andaman.")
Andaman, Little. _See_ "Little Andaman"
Andaman, South. _See_ "South Andaman"
Andaman Strait, 168, 169
Andamanese, the Aborigines, seclusion of, 173, 184 Remote migration, 184 Kitchen-middens, 184 Predatory voyages, 215 Tribal division, 190, 192, 342 Hostility, 190-192 The Andamanese as enemies, 34 Effects of contact with civilisation, 192 Education, 187 Average duration of life, 187 Infant mortality, 192 Diseases, 40, 187 Appearance, 185, 186 Average height, 342 Weight, 342 Measurements of some Andamanese, 344 Disposition, 187 Dress, 188 Dialects, 186 Grammar, 186 Weapons and implements, 184, 189 Huts, 46 Food, 190 Position of women, 187 Customs, 187, 188 Belief in spirits, 188 Credence in wizardry, 188 Christian traditions, 189 Musical instrument, 189 Specimens of songs, 189 Manufactures, 189 Articles found to be in demand for presents and barter, 352 (_See_ "Aka-Balawa," "Jarawas" "Oenges," and under "Port Blair")
_Anoi-ila_, K.N., 295
_Anula Kopah_, K.N., 292 Account of this ceremony as carried out at Lapati, K.N., 293
Archipelago, the (Andaman Islands) General topography, 15 Aka-Balawa, tribe of, 17 Birds, 16, 17 Rats, 17
Area. _See_ under names of islands
Arrows, A., 24, 25, 33, 34, 42; N., 245
Arts, N., 251
Austin Strait, A., 168
Babies, mode of carrying, A., 24
Banian trees, N., 122
Barren Island Relationship, 174 Elevation, 169 General topography, 10-13 Anchorage, 11 Landing-place, 11 Hot spring, 11 Interior of the crater, 12, 13 Eruptive cone, 12 Volcanic activity, 13, 14 Lava, 12 Goats, 12 Rats, 14 Crabs, 14 Fish, 14 Birds, 14
Barter, articles found to be in demand for presents, etc., A.N., 352
Baskets, A., 33; K.N., 48; S.P., 219
Bat camp, a (_Pteropus nicobaricus_), N., 133
Bats (_Hipposideros nicobarulae_), 126, 127 Fruit (_Pteropus nicobaricus_), 70, 133, 134 Attempt to rear young, 134. _See_ "Mammals," and under names of islands
Batti Malv, N., 66
Beach formation, A., 37
Belief concerning Chaura pots, N., 107; eclipses, N., 307 In evil spirits, N., 123 In spirits, A., 188
Beliefs, superstitious, N., 231-234
Bench seats, N., 52
Beresford Channel, N., 72, 73
Betel chewing, N., 49, 248 Effect of, 147 Quids, 219, 248
Beverages, N., 247
Birds, A., N., 326-331. _See_ also under names of islands
Bird's Nest Cape, A., 29
Bird's nests, edible, A., 29
Blyth's dove (_Macropygia rufipennis_), N., 111
Body decoration, A., 24, 32, 34, 39; N., 249
Bompoka General topography, 103, 105 Area, 105 Population, 105 Water, 105 Plantations, 105 Native legend concerning formation of, 105 Natives of, compared with Kar Nicobarese, 104 Hamilton's account of the Somerera Islands, 105
Botanic appearance, general, N., 109, 207
Bows, A., 24, 25, 33, 34, 42; N., 245
British possession, marks of, N., 97
British punitive expedition, N., 93
Buffalo, N., 99
Building materials, Nicobars rich in, 205
Bulbul, crested, A., 35
Bumila creek, A., 38
Burial ceremonies. _See_ "Kar Nicobarese ceremonies and observances"
Burial customs, N., 113, 124
Butterflies, N., 126
Camping out in Great Nicobar, 163
Canoe building, N., 160 Decoration, N., 79 Masts, N., 79 Outrigger, N., 54 Paddles, N., 54 Sails, N., 79 Buying, ceremonies accompanying, N., 309 Mishaps, N., 308, 317 Sequel to the loss of a M[=u]s, 296 Reception of the M[=u]s racing, after a death in the village, 299 Processions, N., 251 Offerings, N., 295, 296
Canoes, A., 41; N., 53, 54, 60, 79 Custom of feeding, N., 85 Chaura natives middlemen in buying and selling, 308
"Captains," N., 58
Casuarina Bay, N., 144, 149, 151
Cattle, semi-wild, N., 47, 74, 75
Caves, Little Nicobar, 126, 127
Cellular jail, A., 21. _See_ "Viper Jail," "The Andamanese Penal System"
Cemetery, Kamorta, N., 95
Census, A., 342; N., 350
Ceremonial, decay of, N., 124
Ceremonies and observances. _See_ "Kar Nicobarese ceremonies and observances," "The Andamanese," and "The Nicobarese"
Chang-ngeh, N., 161
Character of the locally-born young generation at Port Blair, A., 344
Charms, N., 83, 85, 116, 124, 132, 143
Chaura, 106 Termed Sombrero, 106 Hamilton's Account of the Somerera Islands, 105 Area, 106 Population, 106 Decrease of, 350 Anchorage, 106 Trade, 106 Monopolies, 107, 308 Pots, 108 Process of making, 107, 108 Nicobarese belief concerning, 107 Pottery kiln, 108 Natives, 106, 308 Believed to be exponents of wizardry, 296 Feeling of Kar Nicobarese towards, 308 Middlemen in canoe buying and selling, 308 Door mats, 106 Fruit, 106 Extortion of Chaura middlemen, 308
Children, position of, N., 242
Chital, N., 100
_Chitt_, N., 56
Christian traditions, A., 189
Cinques, the General topography, 36, 37 Geology, 175 Anchorage, 36 Beach formation, 37 Effect of S.W. monsoon, 37 Native camp, 37 Hut, 37
Civilisation, effects of contact with, A., 192
Cleanliness, N., 248
Climate, A., 173; N., 205, 206
Cloth, Shom Pe[.n], 145, 146, 219
Coal, N., 204
Cocktail, a new, 89
Coconut oil, mode of extracting, 52 Toddy, 247
Coconuts, mode of obtaining, 139 Carrying, 139 Opening, 63
Coco palms, legendary origin of, N., 230 Peculiarity of, N., 128 Absence of, in Andamans, 172
Cocos Islands, 172 History of an attempt at colonisation, 181, 182
_Coiffure._ _See_ under names of islands
Colonel Temple, C.C., at Port Blair, A., 21
Commercial occupations, K.N., 318, 319
Communication with Andamans, 200
Communication and transport, local, N., 253
Convict Settlement on Kamorta, traces of the old, N., 95
Convicts. _See_ "Port Blair" and "The Andamanese Penal System"
Cooking-vessel, Shom Pe[.n], 148, 219 A possible origin of pottery, 219
Coral, N., 80 Banks, A., 170; N., 201 Reefs, 16
Courtship, N., 238-240
Crabs, A., 14; N., 55, 62, 70, 129
Crater, interior of the, Barren Island, 12, 13
Creeks, mangrove, N., 80
Crocodile, N., 69
Crossbow accidents, K.N., 317
Crows, A., 17
Cuckoo (_Centropus andamanensis_), A., 16
Cultivations. _See_ under names of islands
Customs. _See_ under names of islands
Cyclones, A., 174; N., 206
Dagmar River, N., 149, 153
Dalrymple Bank, 170
Dampier's sojourn on Great Nicobar, 212
Dampier's voyage from Great Nicobar to Acheen in a canoe, 254
Dampier's "Voyages," extract concerning his escape from the privateer _Cygnet of London_, 255, 256, 260-262 Concerning his sojourn in Great Nicobar, 263-267 Concerning his voyage from Great Nicobar to Acheen, 267-275 Concerning the Nicobars and inhabitants generally, 256, 257 Concerning Great Nicobar and inhabitants, 257-267
Dance music, N., 87
Dances, Nankauri, 87 Kar Nicobar, 289, 309
Dead, converse with the, K.N., 296
Death Ceremony, Kachal, 116 Similar Malay custom, 116 Among the Arafuras, 304
De Roeepstorff, F. H., murder of, 96
_De[=u]shi_, cf. _Henta_, N., 116
"Devil expelling," N., 64
"Devil-expelling" leaves, 303
"Devils, scare-," N., 83, 85, 124
Dialects. _See_ "Language"
Diseases, A., 40, 187; N., 159, 235; S.P., 145, 152, 220
Disinterment customs, N., 51. _See_ "Exhumation"
Dislike to strangers, K.N., 317
Divorce, N., 237
Dog-hobble, S.P., 144
Domeat, 154
Domestic animals, N., 219, 243; S.P., 219 Feeding, 79
Domestic pigeons, K.N., 47
Door mats, Chaura, 106
Drainage, Great Andaman, 169
Dress. _See_ under names of islands
Dring Harbour, N., 98
Drongo, black racquet-tailed (_Dissemuroides andamanensis_), A., 30
Duncan Passage, the, A., 36
Earthquakes, A., 176; N., 205 Felt at Kar Nicobar, 205
Eclipses, belief concerning, N., 307 Custom during, 307
Education, effects of, on Andamanese, 187; on Nicobarese, 57, 59, 89
Eggs, megapodes', N., 70
Electro-plate possessed by Nicobarese, 81 Prices given for, 81
Elevation, possible result of, N., 73
_Elpanam_, N., 50, 240
Elton, Captain, drowned at Trinkat, Sambelong, 154
Empress Peak, 120
_Enwan-ng'i_, K.N., 295
Eruptive cone on Barren Island, 12
Expedition Harbour, 98 Reputed headquarters of piratical savages, 98
Exhumation ceremonies, account of, N., 82, 83. _See_ "Disinterment"
Exports, A., 199, 339, 340
Fauna, A.N., 322-331. _See_ also under names of islands
Feasts, K.N., 50
Festival, a, N., 86-88 Preparations for a, 80, 81, 86 Interior of a house prepared for, 81
Fever invariably contracted in Great Nicobar, 112, 254, 255
Fish, A., 14; N., 116, 136, 137
Fishing, N., 55, 116, 136, 137, 245, 246 Traps, 245, 246 Weirs, 246
Flags, native, N., 80
Flat rock, 170
Flattening the occiput, custom of, N., 226
Floods, ceremonies to subdue, N., 51
Flora, A., 171, 172; N., 207, 208, 345-349 Principal forest trees of the Andamans, 336-338. And _see_ under names of islands
Flycatcher, Nicobar, N., 74, 135.
Food supply. _See_ under names of islands
Foot-brush, N., 247
Ford's Peak, A., 169
Foreign residents, A., 342
Forest hawk (_Astur butleri_), N., 62; (_Astur soloensis_), N., 128
_Fota elmot_, K.N., 306
Frank Thompson, N., 57
"Friend of England," N., 52, 55-57, 311, 312
Fruit, N., 49, 64, 91, 106
Fuel, K.N., 48
Galathea River, N., 161-164
Ganges Harbour, N., 136, 137, 205
Gardens, K.N., 307 Origin of, 307 Destruction of, 307 Shom Pe[.n], 218
Geology, A., 174-176; N., 202-204
_Gnunota_, K.N., 296
Goats, Barren Island, 12
Government agency clearing, K.N., 47, 54
Government settlement. _See_ Port Blair History of, 180, 181, 183
Government schools, Port Blair, 343, 344
Great Andaman General topography, 168, 169, 170 Mountains, 169 Saddle Hill, 169 Drainage, 169 Harbours, 171 Straits dividing, 168, 169. _See_ also "South Andaman," "Rutland Island," "Port Blair," "Port Cornwallis"
Great Nicobar, 141 Area, 141 Mountains, 141 Rivers, 142 Peculiarity of coco palms, 128 Water, 152 Malaria, 112, 254, 255 Population, coastal, 142 Shom Pe[.n], 142 Dialect, 121 Trade, 143 Prices, 143 Dampier's "Voyages," extract concerning Great Nicobar and inhabitants, 257-267
Great Nicobar (North Coast) General topography, 133-138, 205 Land subsidence, 136, 137 Ganges Harbour, 136, 137, 205 Anchorage, 132 Up a creek, 133 Mount Thuillier, 138, 141 Jubilee River, 138 Water, 135, 137, 139 Traces of Shom Pe[.n], 134, 136, 137 Fauna Birds, 135-137 Water birds, 138 Sunbirds' nests, 133 Mammals, 135-138 A bat camp, 133 Fruit bats, 133, 134 Attempt to rear young bats, 134 Fish, 136-137 Fishing, 136-137 Turtle, 138
Great Nicobar (West Coast) General topography, 141, 142, 144 Pulo Kunyi, 142, 143, 145, 146 Harbour, 142 Anchorage, 142 Inhabitants, 142, 143 Decline of population, 149 Charm, 143 Casuarina Bay, 144, 149, 151 Mudfish, 149 Dagmar River, 149, 153 Kopenheat, 150 Anchorage, 153 Pulo Nyur, 150 Anchorage, 150 Decline of population, 150 Water, 151 Morass, 151 Birds, 143, 144, 151 Fauna, 144, 150 Young monkeys, 153 Shom Pe[.n], 143, 145-148, 150, 152 Appearance, 145-147 Elephantiasis, 145, 152 Effect of betel-chewing, 147 Dress and ornaments, 145 Camp, 149, 151 Village, 144, 145 Shom Pe[.n], Huts, 145 Food supply, 148 Dog-hobble, 144 Spears, 146 Cloth, 145, 146 Cooking-vessel, 148 Mode of cooking pandanus, 149
Great Nicobar (West and South Coasts) General topography, 156, 158, 160 Native topographical names compared with chart and trade names, 155 Growth of land, 157 Anchorage, 156 Pulo Babi, 156, 157 Harbour, 156 Water, 156 Chang-ngeh, 161 South Bay, 160 Galathea River, 161-164 Fauna, 162 Birds, 157, 160, 161 Monkeys, 166 Population, 157 Inhabitants, 157, 155-158 Domeat, 154 Servitude, 157 Shom Pe[.n], 155, 159 Village, 158, 159 Huts, 158, 162 Dress, 159 Marriage, 158 Ringworm, 159 Canoe building, 160 Mode of climbing trees, 157 Barter, 160 Supplies, 165 Water, 165
Guides, native, N., 57, 58
Gunboat tours, 28
_Ha-chu_, K.N., 298
Hamilton's, Captain Alexander, account of the Andamans, 179, 180 References to the Nicobars, 102, 105, 121, 212, 215
_Hanata_, K.N., 301
Harbours, A., 171. And _see_ under names of islands
Headmen, N., 241; S.P., 219 Regard for, K.N., 316
Height, average, A., 342
Heifer, Murder of Dr, 181
_Henghawa_, K.N., 290
_Henta_, cf. _De[=u]shi_, N., 77, 85
_Henta-koi_, N., 77
Herons, N., 69
History, A., 176-184. For details, _see_ under "Andaman Islands"
History, N., 177-179, 208-214. For details, _see_ under "Nicobar Islands"
Hog-deer, A., 28
Homes for Andamanese at Haddo, 23-25
Homfray Strait, A., 169
Hostility of Andamanese, 190-192 Shom Pe[.n], 215, 220
Hot spring on Barren Island, 11
House, custom of feeding the, N., 85
"House of pollution," K.N., 51, 304
Houses. _See_ under names of islands Maternity, K.N., 51
Hume, A. O., cruise round the Andamans and Nicobars, 326
Huts. _See_ under names of islands
Implements and Weapons, A., 184, 189; N., 243-245
Industries, A., 171, 172, 198-200, 339-341 Port Blair, 22, 198-200, 340, 341; N., 251, 252
Infant mortality, A., 192
Inhabitants. _See_ under names of islands
Interment of a headman of Sawi, account of, 305, 306
Interment of a man of repute of Lapati, account of, 306, 307
_Inturga_, K.N., 299
Invisible Bank, 170
Isle of Man, N., 72
Jail, Cellular, A., 21 Viper, a visit to, 26 Inhabitants of, 25-27 Employments in, 26-27 Punishment at, 27. _See_ the Andamanese Penal System
_Jheel_, N., 69, 74
Jubilee River, N., 138
Jakuns of Johore, the, 217
Jarawas, the, A., 190-192, 342 An encounter with, 191
Kachal General topography, 109, 110, 114, 117 Evidence of growth of land, 110 Geology, 117 Area, 117 Population, 117 West Bay, 109, 110, 113 Anchorage, 109 The reef, 113 Lagoon, 110 Water, 117 Birds, 110, 111, 113 Waterbirds, 110 Monkeys, 114 Megapodes, 113 Fish, 116 Native fishing, 116 Ol-kolo-kwak, 110, 112, 113 _Kanaia_, 113 Houses, 112 Natives, 109, 111, 115 Dress and ornaments, 109, 115 Yassan, 111, 116 _De[=u]shi_, 116 Charms, 116 Supplies, 117 Medicine, 115 A death ceremony, 116 Burial customs, 113
Kamorta General topography, 72, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101 Population, 102 Peculiarity of flora, 101 Traces of the old convict settlement on, 95 The cemetery, 95 Murder of De Roeepstorff (1883), 96 Mount Edgecombe, 98 Expedition Harbour, 98 Reputed headquarters of piratical savages, 98 Dring Harbour, 98 Olta-moeit, village of, 98 Natives, 99, 100 Dress, 100 Tattooing, a case of, 100 Birds, 97, 99, 100 Teal, 97 Buffalo, 99 Bats, 99 Chital, 100 Sambhar, 100 Supplies, 101 Hamilton's description of the Central group, 102
_Kana awn_, K.N., 285-292
_Kanaia_, N., 79, 113
_Kantera_, K.N., 302
_Kareau_, N., 85, 86
_Kare-yeng-chon_, K.N., 287
_Kallu_, 224
Kar Nicobar General topography, 45, 46, 61, 64, 65 Koenig's account of Kar Nicobar (1778), 276, 277, 279 Geology, 46, 64 Earthquakes felt at, 205 Tide-race, 45 Landing, 46, 60, 61 Sawi Bay, 46 Swell in, 55 Landing at, 55 Population, 65 Flora, 53, 61, 62, 64 Fruit, 49, 64 Coconuts, 62 Water, 65 Timber, 53, 54 Fauna Birds, 53, 62 Mammals, 62 Fishing, 55 Crabs, 55, 62 Supplies, 65 Government agency clearing, 47, 54 "Temple Villa," 47 Mission school, 59 Missionary endeavour, 57, 63 V. Solomon, 46, 63 Pupils, 57, 59 M[=u]s village, 47, 49, 50, 51 Population, 47 Buildings, 50, 51 _Elpanam_, 50, 240 Maternity houses, 51 _Talik n'gi_, 51 "House of pollution," 51, 304 Houses, 46-49 Plantations, 49, 64 _Kofente_, 292 _Mal_, 302, 303 "Devil-expelling" leaves, 303 _Passa_, 303
Kar Nicobarese, the, 46, 49, 51, 54, 57-59, 60, 61, 65 Measurements of some, 355 Offandi, 49, 50, 54, 311, 312 "Friend of England," 52, 55-57, 311, 312 "Little John," 58, 225 Frank Thompson, 57 Kar Nicobar boys, 59, 60 V. Solomon's pupils, 57, 59 Educated natives, 57, 59 Native guides, 57, 58 A travelled Nicobarese, 54 Life of Kar Nicobarese, 65 Names, 305 Nicknames, 59 Dress, 49, 52, 61 _Ta-choekla_, 49 Betel-chewing, 49 Domestic pigeons, 47 Pigs, 50 Utensils, etc., 48 Fuel, 48 Baskets, 48 Canoes, 53, 54, 60 Outrigger, 54 Paddles, 54 Oilpress, 52 Mode of extracting coconut oil, 52 Bench seats, 52 Commercial occupations, 318, 319 Barter, 56, 60 Cost of transporting goods, 318 Staples of wealth, 50 Mode of comparing past and present wealth, 292 Effect of N.E. monsoon, 299 Canoe mishaps, 308, 317 Crossbow accidents, 317 A Kar Nicobarese tradition, 215 Gardens, 307 Origin of, 307 Destruction of, 307 Quarrels, instances of, 310-312 Mode of revenging, 310 Amok, instances of, 312 Causes of, 312 Wizard murders, 314 Instances of, 314, 315 Instances of murder as punishment, 315 Instance of suicide, 316 Dislike to strangers, 317 Land sale and tenure, 317 Instance of, 317 _Takoia_, 241 Tallies Tally of commercial transactions, 319 Of the months, 319 Of a child's age, 319 Social and other distinctions Social status, 61 The _Mafai_, 300-302 The _Sanokuv_, 300 The _Tamiluana_, 302, 316 The _Takkuwi_, 292 _Yom Ap_, 302 _Yom Elpanam_, 302 Headmen, 316 Wizardry, 314 Mode of obtaining reputation for, 314 Ceremonies and observances _Kana Awn_ (feast of exhumation,), 285-292 _Na-Kopah_ (feast for the dead), 286, 287 _Kare-yeng-chon_ (headstones of graves), 287 _Vani pati_ (house decoration), 288 _Kiriam Hepat_ (dancing in bright light), 288, 289 _Henghawa_ (in return), 290 _Yeng Awn_ (the great boar), 291 _Wanaka Kuv_ (making lard), 291 _Kisu-ta-el-pati_, 291 _Tanang alah_ (prevention), 291 _Anula Kopah_ (digging the graves), 292 _Kiriam Anula_ (digging dance), 292 _Kiriam-nga-rit-roi-ta-oka_ (dance for clearing up coconut rubbish), 292 _Mafai tapira_ (grand _Mafai_ dance), 292 _Anula Kopah_, account of this ceremony as carried out at Lapati, 293 _Katap-hang_ (lighting the _Elpanam_), 294, 295 _Kiala_ (fetching food), 295 _Anoi-ila_ (a holiday), 295 _Enwan-n'gi_ (fishing again for the children), 295 _Ma-ya-kuv-ka-ma-ka_ (papa is going this way to fetch fish), 295 _Ramal_, 296 _Gnunota_, 296 _Ma-la-hal_, 297 _Kewi-apa_, 297, 298 _Mu-nung-ren_ (day of preparation), 297 _Kial_ (taking food), 297 _Ha-chu_, 298 _Maya_ (top decoration), 298, 299 _Yintovna Siya_ (expelling the devil by sails), 298, 299 _Amhai_, 299 _Inturga_, 299 _Tanangla_ (support), 299, 300 _Ke luinj alaa_, 300 _Mafai_, creation of, 301 _Hanata_ (adorning the invalid), 301 _Mafai_ performances, 302 _Ai-yu-a-kare_ (going to a feast adorned with jewels), 302 _Luinj-lare Mafai_ (undressing the _Mafai_), 302 _Amutna Kuv_ (revealing to the invalid), 302, 303 Burial ceremonies, 303-305 Account of interment of headman of Sawi, 305, 306 _Fota Elmot_ (wiping away tears), 306 Account of interment of a man of repute at Lapati, 306, 307 Mourning, 305 Converse with the dead, 296 Instance of ceremonies accompanying canoe buying, 309 Sequel to the loss of a M[=u]s canoe, 296 Reception of M[=u]s racing-canoe after a death in the village, 299 Canoe offerings, 295, 296 Celebration of loss of teeth, 300 Custom during eclipses, 307 Belief concerning, 307 Disinterment customs, 51 "Devil expelling," 64 _Tamiluana_ ceremonies to subdue floods, 51 Feasts, 50 Dances, 289, 309 Ceremonial accessories _Kantera_, 302 _Kusuku_, 297, 298 _Merahta_, 287 "Devil-expelling" leaves, 303 _Katap-hang_, K.N., 294, 295 _Ke luinj alaa_, K.N., 300 _Kewi-apa_, K.N., 297, 298 _Kial_, K.N., 297 _Kiala_, K.N., 295 Kingfisher (_P. leucocephala_), N., 126; (_Ceyx tridactyla_), N., 135; (_Halcyon saturatior_), A., 35 Kingfisher's eyes a specific for sleeplessness, 76 _Kiriam anula_, K.N., 292 _Kiriam Hepat_, K.N., 288, 289 _Kiriam-nga-rit-roi-ta-oka_, K.N., 292 _Kisu-ta-el-pati_, K.N., 291 Koenig, Dr I. J., 213, 276; account of Kar Nicobar (1778), 276-284 _Kofente_, K.N., 292
Kondul General topography, 131, 132 Anchorage, 131 Tide-rip, 131 Population, 131 Village, 132 Houses, 132 Plantation, 132 Charms, 132 Natives, 132 Boys, 139 Supplies, 132, 139
Kopenheat, N., 150 Anchorage at, 153
_Kusuhu_, K.N., 297, 298
Kwang-tung Strait, A., 15, 16
Lagoon, N., 110
Lamp, N., 81
Land, growth of, N., 110, 157 Sale and tenure, K.N., 317 Subsidence, N., 136, 137; A., 176
Landing-places. _See_ under names of islands
Language, A., 186; N., 121, 228, 229; S.P., 220 Comparison of some Shom Pe[.n] and Nicobarese words, 155
Lava, Barren Island, 12
Legend concerning formation of Bompoka, native, 105 Illustrative of unpleasant qualities of pandanus, 112
Legends of origin, native, N., 229
Life, average duration of, A., 187
Linguists, Nicobarese, 55, 58, 75, 112
Little Andaman General topography, 38, 45, 169, 170 Effect of S.W. monsoon, 45 Geology, 176 Bumila Creek, 38 Natives, 37-40, 42 Appearance, 39 Dress and ornaments, 39 Natives, body decoration, 39 _Coiffure_, 40 Tools, 41 Bows and arrows, 42 Huts, 40, 41 Canoe, 41 Diseases, 40 Pig, 43
"Little John," N., 58, 225
Little Nicobar General topography, 118, 120, 121, 125, 126, 127, 131 Geology, 120 Population (including Milo), 120 Area, 120 Harbour, 119, 125 Anchorage, 119 Site for a settlement, 121, 125 Water, 126 Flora, 120, 125 Peculiarity of coco palms, 128 Banian trees, 122 Course of a river, 125, 126 Mount Deoban, 120 Empress Peak, 120 A deserted village, 121 Caves, 126, 127 Bats, 126, 127 Swifts, 126, 127 Nests, 126, 127 Monkeys, 122, 128, 129 Crabs, 129 Tupais, 122 Megapodes, 121 Pig, 122 Butterflies, 126 Birds, 119, 121, 122, 127, 128, 130 Water birds, 126 Natives, 119 Hamilton's account of the natives of the Southern Group, 121 Mortality, 119, 123 Reputed causes, 123 Dress, 119 Dialect, 121 Belief in evil spirits, 123 Charms and "scare-devils," 124 Burial custom, 124 Decay of ceremonial, 124
Lizards (_Gonyocephalus humeii_), N., 67, 68
_Luinj-lare Mafai_, K.N., 302
Luxuries, native, N., 227
Macpherson Strait, A., 29
_Mafai_, the, K.N., 300-302 Creation of, 301 Performances, 302
_Mafai tapira_, 292
_Mafai, Luinj-lare_, 302
Maharani Peak, N., 67
"Making Christmas," N., 80
_Mal_, K.N., 302, 303
Malacca, N., 78
_Ma-la-hal_, K.N., 297
Malaria, N., 112, 205, 254, 255
Mammals, A.N., 322-325. And _see_ under names of islands
Man, Mr E. H., 75 Isle of, 72
Mangrove creeks, N., 80
Manufactures, A., 189; S.P., 219
Marriage, N., 158, 235-237
Maternity houses, K.N., 51
_Maya_, K.N., 298-299
_Ma-ya-kuv-ka-ma-ka_, K.N., 295
Mayo, murder of Lord, 22, 23
Measurements of some Andamanese, 344 Average height, 342 Weight, 342
Measurements of some Shom Pe[.n], 353, 354 Great Nicobarese, 356, 357 Kar Nicobarese, 355
Medicine, N., 115, 235
Megapodes, N., 68-70, 74, 77, 113, 121, 327, 328 Eggs, 70 Mounds, 68-70 Laying-places watched by Nicobarese, 243
Menchal, 127 Area, 127 Flora, 127 Geology, 127
_Menluanas_, N., 116, 232 Ceremonies, 233
_Merahta_, K.N., 287
Meroee, N., 118
Metals, N., 251
Military force, Port Blair, 27
Minerals, A., 176; N., 205
Mission School, Kar Nicobar, 59 Relics of old Moravian, N., 83
Missionary endeavour, N., 63, 257. _See_ under "Nicobar Islands"--History.
Monkeys, N., 114, 122, 128, 129, 150, 166 Young, 153
Monopolies, N., 107, 308
Monsoon, effect of S.W., Andamans, 37, 45 N.E., Kar Nicobar, 299
Monsoons, N., 206
Mortality, N., 119, 123 Infant, A., 192
Mount Deoban, N., 120 Edgecombe, N., 98 Harriet, A., 19, 169 Thuillier, N., 138, 141
Mountain range, a submerged, 170
Mountains, A., 169; N., 141
Mourning customs, N., 250, 305
Mudfish, N., 149
_Mu-nung-ren_, K.N., 297
Murder, wizard, K.N., 314, 315 As punishment, K.N., 315 Of Lord Mayo, 22, 23 Of Dr Heifer, 181 Of F. H. de Roeepstorff, 96 Of Captain Owen, 212
M[=u]s village. _See_ "Kar Nicobar"
Music, the Nicobarese dance-, 87
Musical instrument, A., 189 Instruments used by Nicobarese, 87, 250
Muskets prohibited, N., 244
_Na-kopah_, K.N., 286, 287
Names, K.N., 305. _See_ "Nicknames"
Names, native topographical, 120 Compared with chart and trade names, Great Nicobar, 155
Nankauri General topography, 90, 109 Temperature, 206 Rainfall, 206 Geology, 90 Area, 90 Population, 91 Harbour, 78, 98, 202 Settlement at, 214 Neglected by its possessors, 202 Malacca, 78 Spiteful Bay, 78 Anchorage, 78 Coral, 80 Village, 78 Landing-place, 79 _Kanaia_, 79 Houses, 79 Relics of old Moravian mission, 83 The headman's village, 83 Houses, 83, 84 Mangrove creeks, 80 Flora, 90 Fruit, 91 Fauna, 90 Whimbrel, 80 Supplies, 91 Water, 91 Tanamara, 75, 86, 88, 89, 101 Family, 84, 88, 89 House, interior and contents, 84, 85 _Kareau_, 85, 86 _Henta_, 85 Charms, talismans, and "scare-devils," 83, 85 Native flags, 80 Electro-plate possessed by natives, 81 Lamp, 81 Preparation for a festival, 80, 81, 86 "Making Christmas," 80 Interior of a house prepared for a festival, 81 A festival, 86, 87, 88 Dancing, 87 Dress and ornaments, 75, 81, 86, 87 Canoe, 79 Masts, 79 Sails, 79 Decoration, 79 Feeding domestic animals, 79 The house, canoes, etc., 85 Custom of adoption, 84 Exhumation, 82 Account of exhumation ceremonies, 82, 83 Offerings for the dead, 84 Piracy in the Nicobars, 91-94 British punitive expedition, 93
Narcotics, N., 248
Narkondam, A., 10, 169, 174
Natives. _See_ under names of islands--"The Andamanese," "The Nicobarese," "The Aborigines of the Nicobar Islands"
Navigation in the Tropics, 29 Chinese, 138
Nests, edible birds', A., 29 Sunbirds' (_Arachnechtkra_), 133 Swifts', N., 126, 127
_Ngong_, N., 229
Nicknames, K.N., 59. _See_ "Names"
Nicobarese, the Evolution, 221-225 Native legends of origin, 229 Appearance, 225-227 Custom of flattening the occiput, 226 Measurements of some Great Nicobarese, 356, 357 Measurements of some Kar Nicobarese, 355 Character, 227, 228 Results of education, 89 Language, 228, 229 Comparison of some Nicobarese and Shom Pe[.n] words, 155 Nicobarese linguists, 55, 58, 75, 112 Social state, 61, 242 Headmen, 241 Position of women, 242 Children, 242 Courtship, 238-240 Marriage, 235-237 Polygamy, 238 Divorce, 237 Property, 240 Method of guarding, 241 _Takoia_ (Kar Nicobar), 241 Diseases, 235 Medicine, 235 System of punishments, 230, 238, 241 Superstitious beliefs, 231-234 Talismans, 231 _Henta_, 77, 85 _Henta-koi_, 77 _Kareau_, 85-86 _Tamiluanas_, 232 _Menluanas_, 116, 232, 233 Cleanliness, 248 Dress and ornaments, 229, 249 Body painting, 249 _Ta-choekla_, 49, 229, 249 _Ngong_, 229 _Coiffure_, 249, 250 Betel chewing, 49, 248 Quids, 248 Use of tobacco, 248 Stimulants, 248 Coconut toddy, 247 Narcotics, 248 Beverages, 247 Native luxuries, 227 Food, 246 Pandanus fruit, 246, 252 Mode of preparing, 247 "Town halls," 240 Amusements Canoe processions, 251 Pig processions, 251 Wrestling, 251 Musical instruments, 87, 250 The Nicobarese dance-music, 87 Domestic animals, 243 Fishing, 245, 246 Traps, 245 Weirs, 246 Weapons, 243-245 Tools, 243, 245 Foot brush, 247 Terms of salutation, 228 Custom when travelling, 228 Mourning custom, 250 Arts, 251 Appreciation of anatomical detail, 85 Industries, 251, 252 Metals, 251 Cultivations, 252 Monopolies, 107 Trade commodities, 252 License, 252 Inland, 252 Traders, 252, 253 List of principal articles imported by, for sale to the Kar Nicobarese, 351 Articles found to be in demand for presents and barter, 352 Local communication and transport, 253 Coconuts, 253 Turtle, 246 Mode of capturing, 246 Use of skull, 246 Dampier's account of the Nicobarese, 256, 257. _See_ also under "Bompoka," "Chaura," "Great Nicobar," "Kachal," "Kamorta," "Kar Nicobar," "Kondul," "Little Nicobar," "Nankauri," "Pulo Milo," "Teressa," and "Shom Pe[.n]"
Nicobar, Great. _See_ "Great Nicobar"
Nicobar Islands, the, 201 Position, 167, 201 Relationship, 321, 327 Soundings, 321 Coral banks, 201 Area, 201 Geology, 202-204 Minerals, 205 Coal, 204 Earthquakes, 205 Climate, 205, 206 Rainfall, 206 Temperature, 206 Monsoons, 206 Cyclone, 206 General botanic appearance, 207 Botanical division, 109 Flora, 207, 208 Principal flora of the Nicobars, 345-349 Fauna Birds, 326-328 List of, occurring in the Nicobars, 328-331 Mammals, 322-324 Synopsis of mammalian fauna, 325 History, 177-179, 208-214 Nicobars known to Arab navigators, 208 First probable reference, 208 Chinese records, 208 Account of an Arab trader (A.D. 851), 208 Rashuddin, 209 Marco Polo (thirteenth century), 209 Friar Oderic (fourteenth century), 209 Master Caesar Frederike (sixteenth century), 209 Barbosa, 210 Captain John Davis (sixteenth century), 210 Officers of Sir J. Lancaster (sixteenth century), 210 Sir James Lancaster (seventeenth century), 211, 212 Koeping (eighteenth century), 212 Dampier's sojourn, 212. _See_ "Dampier" Murder of Captain Owen, 212 Hamilton's references, 102, 105, 121, 212, 215 Jesuit attempt at settlement, 212 Danish colony founded (1756), 213 Settlement by Moravians (1766), 213 Koenig's account, 213. _See_ "Koenig" History, Commercial expedition, 213 New Moravian settlement (1779), 213 English traders from India begin to visit the islands (nineteenth century), 213 Pastor Rosen's mission (1831), 213, 214 Catholic mission, 214 Mackay's voyage in search of coal (1845), 214 _Galathea_ expedition (1846), 214 Voyage of the _Novara_ (1858), 214 Islands taken possession of by the Indian Government (1869), 214 British official possession (1807), 214 Settlement at Nankauri Harbour, 214 Nicobars and Andamans affiliated, 214 Marks of British possession, 97 Account of piracy in, 91-94 Missionary endeavour, 63, 257. _See_ also under "History" Natural products of commercial value, 207, 208 Nicobars rich in building materials, 205 Malaria, 112, 205, 254, 255 Population, 202, 350 Decrease of, 76, 97, 149, 150, 350 Trade residents, 202 Census, 350 Water, 152 Native Topographical names, 120 Compared with chart and trade names, Great Nicobar, 155. _See_ "Bompoka," "Chaura," "Great Nicobar," "Kachal," "Kamorta," "Kar Nicobar," "Kondul," "Little Nicobar," "Menchal," "Nankauri," "Pulo Milo," "Teressa," "Tilanchong," "Trinkat"
Nicobar, Kar. _See_ "Kar Nicobar"
Nicobar, Little. _See_ "Little Nicobar"
Novara Bay, N., 67
Occiput, custom of flattening the, N., 226
Occupations, commercial, K.N., 318, 319 Of the sexes, respective, S.P., 220
Offandi, N., 49, 50, 54, 311, 312
Offerings, canoe, K.N., 295, 296 For the dead, N., 84
Oil press, K.N., 52
Ol-kolo-kwak, N., 110, 112, 113
Olta-moeit, N., 98
Oenges, A., 190, 192, 342. _See_ under "Rutland Island" and "Little Andaman"
Ornaments, personal. _See_ under names of islands
Owen, wreck and death of Captain (1708), N., 70, 71, 212
Paddles, N., 54
Pandanus fruit, N., 246, 252 Mode of preparing, 247 Cooking, S.P., 149
Pandanus, unpleasant qualities of, 112 Legend illustrative of, 112
Parrots, A., 17; (_Paleornis caniceps_), N., 128
_Passa_, cf. _Mal_, K.N., 303
Pathmaking, 15
Penal System, the Andamanese, 193-199. _See_ also under "Port Blair"
Photography, trials of, 32
Pig (_Sus andamanensis_), A., 43; (_Sus nicobaricus_), N., 137 Mode of preparing, for a feast, 100 Processions, N., 251
Pigeons, Nicobar, 68, 135
Pigeons, fruit (_Carpophaga insularis_), N., 62, 68.
Piracy in the Nicobars, account of, 91-94
Plantations, N., 49, 64, 71, 105, 132
Police surveillance, A., 19
Polygamy, N., 238
Population. _See_ under names of islands and "Census." Decrease of, N., 76, 97, 149, 150, 350
Port Blair Ross Island, 19, 20 The Government Settlement, 19, 20, 21 History of, 180, 181, 183 Colonel Temple, C.C., at, 21 Military force, 27 Police surveillance, 19 Gunboat tours, 28 Communication, 200 Temperature, 173 Rainfall, 173 Government schools, 343 Gymnasium, 344 Amusements, 20 The Penal System, 193-9 Viper Island, 25, 26 Jail, a visit to, 26 Cellular, 21 Inhabitants of, 25, 26, 27 Employments in, 26, 27 Punishment, 27 Convicts, 20, 26, 27 Hospital convalescents, 23 The harbour, 19, 21-25 Brickfields, 22 Lime kilns, 22 Phoenix Bay shipyard, 22 Mount Harriet, 19, 169 Hopetoun, settlement of, 22 Chatham Island, sawmills, 23 Hospital convalescents at, 23 Navy Bay tea-gardens, 25 Industries, 22, 198, 199, 200, 340, 341 Cultivations, 200 Character of the locally-born young generation, 344 Haddo, Homes for the Andamanese, 23, 24, 25 Andamanese at, 24, 25 Appearance, 24 Dress, 24 Ornaments, 24, 25 Skin decorations, 24 _Coiffure_, 24 Bows and arrows, 24, 25 Mode of carrying babies, 24
Port Cornwallis, Government Settlement transferred to, 180, 181 _Rendezvous_ at, in 1824, 181
Port registers, 75
Pots, Chaura, N., 108 Nicobarese belief concerning, 107 Process of making, 107, 108
Pottery, a possible origin of, 219 Kiln, Chaura, 108 Manufacture, monopoly of, 107
Preparis Island, 320
Presents, articles found to be in demand for, A., N., 352
Products, natural, A., 172, 199, 341. _See_ "Woods" Of commercial value, N., 207, 208
Property, N., 240 Method of guarding, 241
Pulo Babi. _See_ "Great Nicobar"
Pulo Kunyi. _See_ "Great Nicobar"
Pulo Milo, 123 Area, 123 Village, 123 Houses, 123 Natives, 123
Pulo Nyur. _See_ "Great Nicobar"
Punishment at Viper Jail, 27 System of, N., 230, 238, 241 Instances of murder as, K.N., 315
Quarrels, instances of, K.N., 310-312 Mode of Revenging, 310
Rainfall, A., 173; N., 206
_Ramal_, K.N., 296
Rats (_Mus atratus_), A., 14. _See_ also under names of islands and "Mammals"
Rattan collecting, N., 219, 220
_Rhinomyias_, N., 122
River, course of a, Little Nicobar, 125, 126 Dagmar, 149, 153 Galathea, 161-164 Jubilee, 138
Rivers, Great Nicobar, 142
Ross Island. _See_ "Port Blair"
Rowing, Chinese, 140
Rutland Island A part of Great Andaman, 168 General topography, 29 Geology, 175 Ford's Peak, 169 Landing-place, 30 Village, 32 Huts, 32 Jungle, 30 Birds, 30 Oenge visitors, 30-33 Appearance, 31 Dress, 32 Body ornamentation, 32-34 _Coiffure_, 34 Utensils, 33 Bows and arrows, 33, 34 Mode of stringing, 34 Food, 33
Saddle Hill, 169
St George's Channel, 131
Salutation, terms of, N., 228
Sambhar, N., 100
_Samshu_ smuggling, N., 248. _See_ "Spirit traffic"
_Sanokuv_, the, K.N., 300
Sawi Bay. _See_ "Kar Nicobar"
Scenery, A., 170
School, mission, K.N., 59
Schools, Government, Port Blair, 343, 344
Servitude, N., 157
Settlement, the Government, A. _See_ "Port Blair" Site for a, N., 121, 125
Sharks, edible, 9
Shrew (_Crocidura nicobarica_), N., 138
Shom Pe[.n], the. _See_ "The aborigines of the Nicobar Islands," and "Great Nicobar"
Sir John Lawrence Island, wrecks on, 181
Skin decoration, A., 24. _See_ "Body decoration"
Social state, N., 61, 242 And other distinctions, K.N., _see_ "Kar Nicobarese social and other distinctions"
Solomon, V., K.N., 46, 63
Sombrero Channel, 118 Tides in, 118 Island, 106
Somerera Islands, Hamilton's account of the, 105
Songs, specimens of, A., 189
Soundings, A., 168, 320; N., 321
South Andaman General topography, 28, 29 Macpherson Strait, 29 Anchorage, 29 Landing-place, 29 Birds' Nest Cape, 29 Edible birds' nests, 29 Native camping-place, 29 Hut, 29 Water, 35 Hog-deer, 28 Birds, 34, 35 Mammals, 35
South Bay, 160
Spears, N., 243; S.P., 219, 243, 244
Spirit traffic, 100. _See_ "_Samshu_ smuggling"
Spirits, belief in, A., 188 Evil, N., 123
Spiteful Bay. _See_ under "Nankauri"
Spring, hot, Barren Island, 11
Squalls, tropic, 10, 137
Stimulants, N., 248
Subsidence, A., 176; K.N., 136, 137
Suicide, instance of, N., 316
Sunbird, Andaman, 35; (_Aethopyga nicobarica_), N., 127, 143
Superstitious beliefs, N., 231-234
Supplies. _See_ under names of islands
Surveillance, police, A., 19
Swifts (_Collocalia linchii_), N., 126, 127 Nests, 126, 127
_Ta-choekla_, N., 49, 229, 249
_Takkuwis_, K.N., 292
_Takoia_, K.N., 241
Talaings, 223, 224
_Talik-n'gi_, K.N., 51
Talismans, N., 83, 85, 231
Tallies, K.N. Of commercial transactions, 319 Of the months, 319 Of a child's age, 319
Tamils, 216
_Tamiluanas_, N., 232, 302 Ceremonies, 51 Regard for, 316
Tanamara, 75, 86, 88, 89, 101 Family, 84, 88, 89 House, interior and contents of, 84, 85
_Tanang alah_, K.N., 291
_Tanangla_, K.N., 299, 300
Tattooing, a case of, N., 100
Tea, attempt to foster taste for, N., 248
Teeth, celebration of loss of, K.N., 300
Temperature, A., 173; N., 206
Temple, Colonel, C.C., at Port Blair, 21
"Temple Villa," K.N., 47
Teressa General topography, 103, 104 Area, 104 Geology, 104 Flora, 104 Tobacco fields, 104 Population, 105 Natives compared with Kar Nicobarese, 104 Hamilton's account of the Somerera Islands, 105
Terrapin Bay, N., 67
Thrush (_Geocichla albigularis_), N., 74
Tide-rips, N., 45, 131
Tilanchong General topography, 66, 67, 68, 69, 72, 109 Area, 67 Anchorages, 67 Maharani Peak, 67 Novara Bay, 67 Terrapin Bay, 67 _Jheel_, 69 Herons, 69 Crocodile, 69 Water, 67 Plantations, 71 Kamortan visitors, 71 Lizards, 67, 68 Fruit bat, 70 Megapodes, 68, 69, 70 Mounds, 68, 70 Eggs, 70 Birds, 68 Crabs, 70 Foul ground off, 72 Wreck of Captain Owen (1708), 70
Timber, K.N., 53, 54. _See_ "Woods"
Tobacco, use of, N., 248 Fields, N., 104
Tools, A., 41; N., 243, 245
Topography, general. _See_ under names of islands
"Town halls," N., 240
Trade, N., 143, 252 Commodities, N., 252 Prices, N., 143, 154 Residents, N., 202 Shom Pe[.n], 219 Chaura, 106
Traders, N., 252, 253 Chinese, 112 Malay, 154 Articles imported by, for sale to Kar Nicobarese, 351
Tradition, a Kar Nicobarese, 215
Traditions, Christian, A., 189
Transport, local, N., 253
Transporting goods, cost of, K.N., 318
Trapping, 15
Traps, fishing, N., 245
Travelling, custom when, N., 228
Trees, principal forest, A., 336-338 Mode of climbing, N., 157 Banian, N., 122 Urostigma, N., 62
Tribal division, A., 190, 192, 342
Trinkat General topography, 73, 74, 75 Possible results of elevation, 73 A deserted village, 73, 74, 76, 77 Huts, 73 Hut, contents of a, 77 _Jheel_, 74 Water birds, 74 Megapodes, 74, 77 Cattle, semi-wild, 47, 74, 75 Birds, 74 Rats, 77
_Tupaia nicobarica_, 136; N., 122
_Tupaia nicobarica surda_, N., 122
Turtle, N., 138, 246 Mode of capturing, 246 Skull, use of, 246
Urostigma trees, N., 62
Utensils, Oenge, 33 Kar Nicobarese, 48
_Vani pati_, K.N., 288
Villages. _See_ under names of islands
Viper Island, 25, 26 Jail. _See_ "Jail"
Volcanic activity, A., 13, 14, 174
Walker Island, 161
_Wanaka Kuv_, K.N., 291
Water. _See_ under names of islands
Water birds. _See_ "Birds," and under names of islands
Wealth, staples of, K.N., 50 Comparison of past and present, 292
Weapons and implements, A., 184, 189; N., 243-245. _See_ "Bows," "Arrows," "Spears"
Weight, average Andamanese, 342
Weirs, fishing, N., 246
West Bay. _See_ under "Kachal"
Whale, killer, 119
Wind and weather, average, A., 335
Wizard murders, K.N., 314, 315
Wizardry, credence in, A., 188 Chaura natives believed to be exponents of, 296 Kar Nicobar, 314 Mode of obtaining reputation for, 314
Women, position of, A., 187; N., 242; S.P., 220
Woods, list of the more useful and valuable, A., 339
Worthington, William, 91, 92
Wreck and death of Captain Owen, 70, 71, 212
Wrecks on Sir John Lawrence Island, 181
Wrestling, N., 251
Yassan, N., 111, 116
_Yeng Awn_, K.N., 291
_Yintovna Siya_, K.N., 298, 299
_Yam Ap_, K.N., 302
_Yom Elpanam_, K.N., 302
Printed by Oliver and Boyd Edinburgh
FOOTNOTES:
[1] _The Aboriginal Inhabitants of the Andaman Islands_, by E. H. Man, 1884.
[2] On February 24th of this year Mr Vaux was killed while leading a punitive expedition against a section of the Jarawa tribe, who had recently murdered some wood-cutters. He rushed the last of several hostile camps by night, and took a number of prisoners; but, treading in the ashes of a smouldering fire at the moment of success, he caused it to blaze up, and being seen by a retreating native, was shot through the chest with an arrow, and died almost immediately.
[3] The Sellungs are a primitive and timid tribe, who wander in canoes among the Mergui Islands during the fine weather, and make temporary settlements on lee-shores in the south-west monsoon. They number between two and three thousand.
[4] _The Cruise of the Marchesa_, by F. H. H. Guillemard, second edition, London, 1889.
[5] 1901.
[6] Temperature in 1891 = 103.5. Hume visited the island in 1873 and noted 140 deg., while in 1866 the Andaman Committee found the temperature to be between 158 deg. and 163 deg.. In 1857 Dr Mouat landed, and writes of "a natural boiling spring, the waters so extremely hot that they rendered the sea in the immediate neighbourhood warm enough to roast crabs in their shells," and about the same date Dr von Liebig records a broad but thin sheet of nearly boiling water issuing from beneath the lava, and the sea warm for many yards to a depth of more than 8 feet. Earlier still, in 1831, we have Dr Adam's account, which states that 100 yards from shore the water was nearly boiling; the stones and rocks on shore exposed at low tide were smoking and hissing, and the water was boiling all round them.
[7] In 1789 only withered shrubs and blasted trees were to be seen on parts remote from the cone (Blair): while as late as 1866 there were no trees of any height, but on the slopes and ridges abundance of bushes, some rising 20 feet (Report of the Andaman Committee).
[8] Rulers of India Series--_The Earl of Mayo_, by Sir W. W. Hunter.
[9] A somewhat similar weapon to this remarkable bow is found among the Oregon Indians, and also seen in the composite bow of the Eskimos, while a third, still more closely approaching it in appearance and principle, is found in New Ireland and the New Hebrides.
An interesting account of the Andamanese bow, with a series of photographs showing the various stages of construction, has been contributed by Mr M. V. Portman to the Archery volume of the Badminton Library.
[10] See Appendix F.
[11] Scurvy is more prevalent on Little than on Great Andaman, perhaps owing to the low-lying swampy formation of the larger portion of the island. Hereditary syphilis is believed to be common among the Oenges, having been possibly introduced at some remote period prior to the occupation of 1858. Whether it is to be traced to Malay pirates, or through the Jarawa tribes to the Settlement of 1789, will never be ascertained, but, in coming to a conclusion, the Nicobarese must also be considered as a factor in the case.
[12] "The hut was of the usual type of Little Andaman dwellings, having raised platforms for the married people to sleep on; several large baskets were slung up to the roof, and two rows of pigs' skulls ornamented the walls, showing from their numbers (about 500) that there was no lack of food."--M. V. Portman.
[13] The canoes are sometimes fitted with an outrigger, and it has been supposed that this has been adopted from some Point de Galle fishing-boat wrecked on the islands, for early writers never mention its existence (Sir H. Yule, _Encyclopaedia Britannica_); but it is much simpler to conjecture it to be a copy of the same feature from the Nicobarese canoe. On the other hand, there is no argument against it being original, for the aborigines of New South Wales and Queensland have a canoe that is in every way almost the exact counterpart of the Andamanese vessel.
[14] Such tide-races are not uncommon among the Nicobar Islands, and later we met with several others, though none so severe as this first. The tides round Kar Nicobar run with great velocity; a rate of 7 knots has been noted to the eastward of the island.
[15] The Semangs, a group of Negritoes in the Malay Peninsula, surrounded by dominant peoples dwelling in pile-buildings, still retain their practice of building huts akin to those of the Andamanese.
[16] Of _Barringtonia speciosa_, _Eugenia javanica_, and _Calophyllum inophyllum_.
[17] The Dyaks of Borneo employ a similar protection in their rice granaries.
[18] _Kissat_ is the Kar Nicobarese name for the loin-cloth worn by males. In the Central and Southern Islands of the group this article of attire is styled _neng_.
[19] In contradistinction to the village, which is known as "_panam_."
[20] These large buildings in _Elpanam_ are equivalent to the "_Balai_" of the Malays, for in them visitors are installed, feasts are held, and general meetings take place.
[21] At delivery a recumbent position is assumed, and the mother is attended by the nearest neighbours, who assist by pressing and kneading the abdomen.
[22] _Cf._ Dyak custom, "When an interesting event is about to happen, the lady is secluded in a small house, where she remains for several months, during which no stranger is allowed to enter the hut."--_The Head-hunters of Borneo_, by Carl Bock.
The practice of _couvade_ is said to exist among the Nicobarese, but we heard nothing of it during our visit.
[23] This tree is found only in the southern islands, whence the large sea-going canoes are obtained through the natives of Chaura, who act as middlemen.
[24] "A century ago, all the natives of Kar Nicobar spoke the Portuguese of the Indian Eurasians."--Hamilton, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. ii.
[25] Letters of recommendation:--
(_a_) "The bearer of this, Friend of England, is a very worthy young man. He supplied me with a great quantity of nuts last voyage, and he can be trusted to any amount under 6000 pairs.
10th March 1853, (Sd.) R. MIDDLETON, _Commander_. Off Lapati Village, Car Nicobar. Barque _Colonel Brown_."
(_b_) "This is to certify that I have traded with Friend of England, a native of this island, in coconuts, fruits, etc. Since I have found him to be trusty, honest to his agreements, therefore, I feel pleasure in saying that you can trust him with the truth before heaven.
North-West Bay, Island of Car Nicobar, Barque _Rochester of London_. March 3rd, 1857. (Sd.) W. J. GREEN, _Master of the above-named ship_."
(_c_) "On our visit to the north side of Car Nicobar, I found the bearer, Friend of England, an honest, inoffensive man, and very willing to afford all the assistance in his power to us during our stay.
H.M. Steamer _Undaunted_, (Sd.) W. L. C. BERESFORD, _Commander_. January 1873."
[26] His portrait is, unfortunately, a failure, as he seems to have moved slightly during the time of exposure.
[27] This is partly supported by a small monthly subsidy from the Bishopric of Rangoon.
[28] _Singapore Review_, vol. ii.
[29] A. L. Butler, _Supp. And. and Nic. Gazette_, Nov. 1897.
[30] "I once weighed one of these birds and found it to be only six times greater than its own egg; whereas I found that a domestic hen weighs twenty-two times as much as its own egg."--E. H. Man.
[31] After Mr E. H. Man, by Col. Strahan, R.E., when surveying the Nicobars in 1886-7.
[32] This may possibly be one of the results of elevation. As the island grew, nuts drifted to its changing shores and took root, until, as more and more land appeared, those trees which at one time stood along the edge of the island would at length be situated in the interior. Kar Nicobar, another low island of similar formation, also possesses forests of indigenous coconuts.
"Trinkat, being flat, is divided amongst the inhabitants of the other two islands, where they have their plantations of coconuts and areca palms: these last being very abundant."--Fontana, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. iii., 1778.
[33] The name of Mr Man is one to conjure with in the Nicobars. Everywhere we met with expressions of regret that he was about to retire after some thirty years' acquaintance with this group and the Andamans. Now and then we made rather unwarranted use of his reputation--did we want the portrait of a native who was rather nervous at the sight of the camera. "Here, come along, and don't be afraid, Mr Man does this," and it was all right.
[34] "The number of inhabitants on any one of the (central) islands does not exceed 700 or 800. Ten or twelve huts form a village. Each village has its 'Captain.' A woman who bears three children is very fruitful; few bear more than four. No men seem older than forty or fifty; women live longer."--Fontana, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. iii., 1778.
[35] Pronounced like _pain_ (French).
[36] We were told on the west coast of Great Nicobar, that no valuables were kept in the village there for fear of the Shom Pe[.n], but that all treasured possessions were stored in boxes, at Pulo Kondul.
[37] "To the middle portion of the roof frame an image of the household god is attached; from the walls are suspended human figures carved from wood, and enwreathed with bundles of grass or coconut leaflets, which are regarded as charms for the cure of diseases. Above the centre posts are hung up, strung to rattan, all the lower jawbones of hogs that have been slaughtered by the family: and their number furnishes a due estimate of the wealth of the owner of the house.... Wooden figures of men armed with sword and shield, and women in a dancing posture, with outstretched arms, are hung up in the rear and other parts of the building."--"The People of Nias," _The Races of Mankind_, A. Featherman.
[38] Inuanga.
[39] Dr Scherzer (_Cruise of the "Novara"_) states that they were used for frightening away the devil and driving him into the sea. _Cf._, however, the _Ma-ya-kuv-ka-ma-ka_ of the Kar Nicobarese (p. 295); and also an old Kar Nicobarese custom: "In every village there is a high pole erected, with long strings of rattan hanging from it, which it is said has virtue to keep the devil at a distance" (Hamilton, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. ii.). On the other hand, Colebrooke (_Asiatic Researches_, vol. iv.), writes: "In front of the villages, and a little advanced in the water, they plant beacons of a great height, which they adorn with tufts made of grass or the bark of some tree. These objects are discernible at a great distance, and are intended probably as landmarks; their houses, which are overshadowed by thick groves of coconut trees, seldom being visible from afar."
[40] These flags are made by the natives, and some of them are a legacy from the Danish occupation--a white St George's cross on a red ground, with a double-ended fly.
[41] Fontana mentions the palm leaves and other branches decorating the hut doors at festivals, 1778.
[42] Colebrooke, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. iv.
[43] "The Danes have long maintained a small settlement at the place which stands on the northernmost point of Nankauri within the harbour. A sergeant and three or four soldiers, a few black slaves, and two rusty pieces of ordnance, compose the whole. They have here two houses, one of which, entirely built of wood, is their habitation; the other, formerly inhabited by the missionaries, serves now for a storehouse."--Colebrooke, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. iv.
[44] Malacca.
[45] "The large, neatly-made bundles of trimmed billets of wood, have always been mistaken for firewood, even by Pastor Rosen, who spent three or four years in the Harbour. They are, however, made merely to serve as offerings, and are rolled on to a grave of some relative or friend. They are supposed to represent a substantial token of affection and regard as they take much trouble to make. Their bundles of firewood are also cylindrical, but consist of dry scraps of wood picked up in the jungle and tied round with pieces of cane."--E. H. Man.
[46] Canoes also are occasionally fed with chickens.
[47] The white-bellied sea-eagle (_Cuncuma leucogaster_).
[48] THE WHOLE OF THE NICOBARESE DANCE MUSIC.
It is extraordinary that people who are comparatively so far removed from savagedom, and so fond of dancing and singing, should have no musical instruments. They are acquainted with a kind of flute used by the Burmese, and a "guitar," but can show nothing of their own invention. Even the Andamanese, absolute savages as they are, possess a species of sounding-board, on which they beat time to their songs.
[49] _I.e._, "my marry" = my wife.
[50] Mr E. H. Man writes, however:--"Water is plentiful in the numerous masonry wells and reservoir in the old Government station which is in the harbour. We used to boil and filter it by way of precaution, and then it was quite safe."
[51] Vide _Asiatic Journal_, vols. xiii., xv., xvi.
[52] Pere Barbe, _Jour. Asiatic Soc. Bengal_, vol. xv.
[53] _Singapore Review_, vol. ii.
[54] "Some Malays, who were at the Nicobars at the time, afterwards stated that the _Pilot_ was attacked because the crew had tried to get hold of the native women; but those of the landing-party who escaped in the whaleboat, although attacked on shore simultaneously with the ship, tell a very different story."--Vide _Asiatic Journal_, 1841.
[55] A somewhat different, and more accurate, account of the incident is given in a volume of sketches by John Strange Winter, entitled _A Siege Baby_. I have given here the unamended version of the natives as related to us by the headman.
Mr E. H. Man writes:--"The story given by Tanamara, regarding de Roeepstorff's murder, is very incorrect. The murderer (a havildar of the Madras Infantry detachment then stationed at Nankauri) was under trial for having assaulted a convict. After recording a lot of contradictory evidence, de R. adjourned the case, whereupon the Madras Infantry jemadar pleaded on behalf of the havildar. The magistrate reproved him for his interference, whereupon the latter went and informed the havildar that he would probably receive a severe sentence which might result in his dismissal from the army. This so enraged the havildar that on de R. riding past the M. I. barracks a few hours later the same day, he shot him from his room. The havildar was the crack shot of the Madras army, having twice carried off Commander-in-Chief's prize. He shot himself on seeing that he had inflicted a mortal wound. De R. died within a minute or so. It was his wife who despatched news of the affair to Port Blair by a _bagla_, which had just arrived in Nankauri Harbour. In five days I arrived and held the inquiry. Mrs de Roeepstorff during those five days had a natural horror of the M. I. sepoys, and she would not allow any of them to approach the house. Her Indian servants and others remained with her as before."
[56] _Vocabulary of the Dialects spoken in the Nicobars and Andamans_, Port Blair, 3s. _Dictionary of Nancowry and Nicobarese Languages_ (both parts), Calcutta, 7s. 6d.
[57] This decline of population has been even more marked in the southern group than in the central, and has been found to be due to paucity of births and not to increased mortality. It has been attributed to injury done by the practice among the men of the Central and Southern Islands of fastening the _neng_ or loin-cloth unduly tightly over the organs of generation, whereby these are in many cases rendered impotent. At Kar Nicobar, Teressa, and Bompoka, and Chaura the _neng_ is worn less tightly.
[58] Hamilton's _Account of the East Indies_, Pinkerton's Collection of Travels.
[59] Vide Pere Barbe, _Jour. Asiatic Soc. Bengal_, vol. xv.
[60] These are all imported, many in order to sell to Kar Nicobarese.
[61] Pere Barbe (_Jour. Asiatic Soc. Bengal_, 1847) mentions other monopolies: lime might only be burnt at Kar Nicobar, boats built only at Nankauri, and to the same island was restricted the sowing of paddy. (The last a possible evidence of local Malay immigration.)
With reference to this note, Mr E. H. Man writes:--
"Lime (by burning certain _sea-shells_) can be made only in the southern group, Kachal, all villages inside Nankauri Harbour--except Ong-yuang, also the villages in Dring and Expedition harbours.
"Lime (made by burning _coral_) can be made only at Kar Nicobar.
"Canoes (large and small) are made in the central and southern groups where suitable trees are plentiful.
"Canoes (small) are made at Kar Nicobar, Teressa, and Bompoka."
[62] _Vide_ E. H. Man, _Jour. Anthrop. Inst._, 1893, vol. xxiii.
[63] Probably obtained from the deserted Government establishment at Nankauri Harbour.
[64] Supercargoes.
[65] A legend illustrative of the unpleasant qualities of the pandanus, recorded by Mr F. C. Christian in _The Caroline Islands_, runs: that the Thunder-god, descending to earth, alighted in a pandanus bush, and found the situation so painful that he bestowed the art of making fire and moulding-pots upon the woman who released him from his predicament!
[66] The Nicobarese equivalent is _menluana_ ("medicine man," or _shaman_).
[67] The belief that evil spirits cannot cross water seems to be of world-wide prevalence, _cf._ Burns' "Tam o' Shanter."
[68] This cetacean is probably of the same species as that observed by Mr Holdsworth in the Indian Ocean, and described in the _Mammals of India_.
[69]
_Map Name._ _Native Name._
Kar Nicobar Pu Batti Malv Et Chaura Tatat Tilanchong Laoek Teressa Taihlong Bompoka Poaehat Kamorta Nankauri Nankauri Nankauri Trinkat Laful (East Id.) Kachal Tehnyu Meroe Miroe Trak Fuya Treis Ta-a[.n] Menchal Menchal Little Nicobar Ong Pulo Milo Miloh Great Nicobar Lo-oeng Kondul Lamongshe Kabra Konwana
[70] Dr K. Scherzer.
[71] The tupai of Little Nicobar, which differs somewhat from that of Great Nicobar--principally the light areas of the pelage are less yellow and less contrasted with dark areas--is considered a sub-species by Mr Gerrit D. Miller, who has named it _Tupaia nicobarica surda_.
[72] About this fact I am not certain, for the Malay in which our informant expressed himself was a thing quite _sui generis_.
[73] These fences were met with by de Roeepstorff on the east coast (_Jour. Asiatic_ _Soc. Bengal_), and by the members of the _Galathea_ Expedition up the Galathea River in Great Nicobar (_Corvetten Galathea's Jordourseiling, Steen Bille_, Kjoebenhaven, 1852).
[74] The Malay _roko_ is an affair of much wrapper and little tobacco, whose flavour would seem so bonfire-like as to be akin to the brown paper or stump of cane smoked by precocious and naughty little boys at home!
[75] It is difficult to believe that this is the true reason of the trees' infertility; but it is a fact that no coco palms, except those about the houses, bear any nuts.
[76] The _ikan parang_ is known to us as the "garfish."
[77] _Pulo_ (_Malay_, island), on the west coast, is probably a mispronunciation of _Telok_ (_Malay_, bay), for at only one of the small anchorages so designated is there an island at all.
[78] _Ficus brevicuspis_(?)
[79] An exact counterpart to this weapon has been observed among the "Alfurus" of Kau, Gilolo; _vide_ plate in Kukenthal's _Im Malayischen Archipel_.
[80] Native name = _Laful._
[81]
_Nicobarese_. _Shom Pe[.n]_. Spear, nuit, allai. Finger, bewait, noite. Pandanus fruit, lar[=u]m, munkuang.
[82] "The coast natives, man for man, are superior to the Shom Pe[.n], and regard themselves so both physically and mentally. I have known of a lot of the latter (estimated at about 20) attacking a coast hut in which there were only two men. On these showing resistance and wounding a couple of the Shom Pe[.n] with wooden spears, thrown from inside the hut, the latter fled, carrying away the two wounded men. I have never heard of Shom Pe[.n] venturing to attack the coast people unless they were in superior numbers and could take them by surprise,"--writes Mr E. H. Man, however.
[83] _Halcyon pileata_, conspicuous by its white-tipped wings, was very common on the river, and the calls of one or two birds not elsewhere obtained, were distinguished. Numbers of fish were seen in the shallows, and sometimes a snake swimming from bank to bank was to be observed.
[84] This was the estimated area before Col. Hobday's survey of 1883-5.
[85] "Juru," _Andamanese_ = Sea.
[86] The absence of this tree has doubtless had as much to do with the isolation in which the aborigines have lived as the hostility of the latter, for the islands produce little else than rattans and trepang--which would necessitate arduous collecting--to induce native traders to visit them.
[87] Comparatively few.
[88] _The Malay Archipelago_, p. 9.
[89] _Vide_ paper on the "Geology of the Andamans," by Dr R. D. Oldham, _Proceedings, Geological Survey of India_, vol. xviii.
[90] Still being deposited at Barren Island.
[91] This conclusion, although in some ways difficult to conceive of--for the Arakan coast to the north, and the Nicobars to the south, are both fringed by raised coral beaches, which show they have recently been elevated--is based principally on the fact that stumps of trees, which grow only above high-water mark, and beyond the reach of salt water, are found in the mangrove swamps and on the seashore.
[92] _Pinkerton's Collection of Voyages._
[93] _Extractes of Master Caesar Frederike: his Eighteen Yeares' Indian Observations. Purchus: his Pilgrimes_, London, 1625; vol. ii., p. 1710.
[94] _A Voyage Round the World by Dr John Francis Gemelli Careri. Churchill's Collection of Voyages and Travels_, vol. iv.
[95] _Pinkerton's Collection of Voyages._
[96] _A Mission to Ava_, by Col. Michael Syme, 3 vols.
[97] The _Indian Antiquary_, monthly numbers, April 1900-June 1901, contains articles by Lieut.-Col. R. C. Temple on Blair's reports of his survey and settlement in the Andamans.
[98] _Vide_ "Our Monthly," June and July 1883. Rangoon.
[99] Since 1879, when the Cocos were transferred from the Commission of the Andamans to that of Burma, several settlements, less unfortunate, have been made in the same island for the purpose of trade in coconuts and timber. There is now a lighthouse on Table Island--the most northerly of the group--where many wild cattle (originally domestic) roam.
[100] As one goes from South to North, the tribes become larger in stature and redder (less black).--M. V. Portman, _Jour. Royal Asiatic Soc._, 1881.
[101] Lieut.-Col. R. C. Temple, quoted in _The Aboriginal Inhabitants of the Andaman Islands_, by E. H. Man--a work that deals in a most exhaustive manner with the subjects indicated in the title, but is now, unfortunately, out of print.
[102] "The dead are often disposed of on platforms erected in the fork of some suitable tree. Old people and infants are generally buried."--E. H. Man.
[103] In the _Jour. Royal Asiatic Soc._, 1881, Mr M. V. Portman writes:--"Although traditions of a Creation, a Fall, a Deluge, and a future state have been recorded as extant among the Andamanese, there is reason to believe that these accounts are merely the Christian religion as formerly taught in the Andaman orphanages, and distorted among the natives; for, while the southern tribes have a legend of a stone house where the Deity was born, the northern tribes, who have not been brought into contact with the Settlement, have no such tradition;" but Mr E. H. Man records traditions of a Creation, Fall, and Deluge, obtained from aborigines possessing no knowledge of what had been taught to the few small children at the Orphanage (chiefly reading and writing, sewing, basket work, etc.), and moreover, doubts whether any of the latter were capable of giving an intelligent--if any--account of the views held by Christians on these subjects.
"The Andamanese traditions do not resemble those of Christians.... Savages in other parts of the world," writes Mr Man, "possessed traditions on the same subjects before missionaries or other Christians ever visited them."
[104] The _pukuta yemnga_, a shield-shaped piece of wood, placed with the narrow end in the ground. Andamanese songs are in solos and choruses, the latter invariably sung by both sexes if available, and are accompanied by a dance, which takes place in the evening and at night, in the jungle, when both men and women quite lose themselves in the excitement.
Specimens of Andamanese songs:--
(1) "From the country of the Yerewas the moon rose; it came near; it was very cold,--I sat down." _Chorus._--"I sat down."
(2) "Maia Poro saw a big turtle in the water, and hit him in the eye. Poro laughed when he hit him in the eye." _Chorus._--"Poro laughed when he hit him in the eye."
(3) "I am cutting the under-part of a canoe's prow. I am cutting a canoe." _Chorus._--"I am cutting a canoe."
--_Vide_ "Andamanese Music," by M. V. Portman, _Jour. Royal Asiatic Soc._, 1888.
[105] _Vide_ Appendix D.
[106] _Vide_ Appendix E.
[107] Orange Pekoe and Pekoe Souchong.
[108] The foregoing information relating to the convict system and the progress of the Settlement is extracted from addresses by the Chief Commissioner (Lieutenant-Colonel R. C. Temple) to the Andaman Commission; _vide_ Supplements, _Andaman and Nicobar Gazette_, July 1897, and February 1901.
[109] After Mr E. H. Man.
[110] _Vide_ Appendix H.
[111] "All along this great line of volcanoes are to be found more or less palpable signs of upheaval and depression of land...; upraised coral-rock, exactly corresponding to that now forming in adjacent seas...; unaltered surfaces of the elevated reefs, with great masses of coral standing up in their natural position, and hundreds of shells, so fresh-looking that it was hard to believe that they had been more than a few years out of the water.
"The width of the volcanic belts is about 50 miles; but, for a space of 200 on each side of them, evidences of subterranean action are to be found in recently elevated coral rock or in barrier coral reefs, indicating recent submergence."--_Cf._ "Andamans," _The Malay Archipelago_, A. R. Wallace, pp. 5, 6.
[112] _Vide_ paper on the "Geology of the Nicobars," by F. von Hochstetter, translated by Dr Stoliczka, _Proc. Geol. Survey, India_.
[113] _Vide_ p. 137.
[114] Sir Henry Yule.
[115] _Vide_ translation by the Abbe Renaudet, in _Pinkerton's Collection of Travels_, p. 183.
[116] "Travels, A.D. 1315-1330," _Hakluyt Library_.
[117] _Extractes of Master Caesar Frederike: his Eighteen Yeeres' Indian Observations. Purchas: his Pilgrimes_, vol. ii., p. 1710.
[118] _Hakluyt Library._
[119] _Purchas: his Pilgrimes_, vol. i., p. 123.
[120] Lancaster's "Three Voyages to the East Indies," _Hakluyt Library_.
[121] Koeping, Stockholm, 1743.
[122] _Pinkerton's Collection of Voyages._
[123] H. Busch's _Journal of a Cruise round the Nicobars_.
[124] _Corvetten Galathea's Jordourseiling_, Steen Bille, 2 vols., Kjoebenhaven, 1852.
[125] _Voyage of the Novara_, Dr Karl Scherzer, 3 vols., London, 1862.
[126] "The people of Kar Nicobar have a tradition among them, that several canoes came from Andaman many years ago, and that the crews were all armed, and committed great depredations, and killed several of the Nicobarians."--Hamilton, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. ii.
[127] Achin, at the north-west extremity of the neighbouring island of Sumatra, appears to have been for ages before the arrival of Europeans the great mart for the Telingu traders, who, probably as early as 2000 B.C., carried from the Malay Peninsula the tin used by the Egyptians in making their bronze implements.
[128] "Commercial intercourse was maintained from a very early date between the South of India and the trading towns which formed the emporia of the spice islands, notably Johor, Singapore, and Malacca. When the Portuguese, at the commencement of the sixteenth century, first visited these places, they were amazed at the concourse of foreign vessels assembled there. When this intercourse began it is impossible to say, but it was probably much earlier than the above. Snouck-Hurgronje, writing of Acheh, says that the settlement of Klings from Southern India in that country is of great antiquity; and that the Tamils were the leaders in this commercial enterprise in Malaya is clearly shown by the pure Tamil words,--chiefly connected with commerce, though not altogether so,--which have found their way into Malay.... The Malay for 'ship,' _kapal_, is pure Tamil ... the pure Tamil _padagu_, 'boat,' may reasonably be taken to be the parent of the Malay _prahu_. If this be so, it would seem as if the Tamils first introduced the Malays to even the most elementary navigation, and, as they gave them _kapal_, taught them to 'go down to the sea in ships.' ... They do not seem to have settled down or intermixed with the Malays to any great extent,--not certainly so much as in Acheh, where considerable colonies of Tamils took up their abode. Their object being merely commerce, they went as they came, returning year by year as the monsoon favoured."--"Southern India and the Straits," W. A. O'Sullivan, _Jour. Straits Branch Royal Asiatic Soc._, No. 36, July 1901.
[129] _Vide_ pp. 235, 236, of _A Naturalist's Wanderings in the Eastern Archipelago_, by H. O. Forbes; London, Sampson Low, 1885.
[130] _Jour. Royal Geog. Soc._, 1899, p. 288.
[131] "Those that are of a permanent character sometimes partake of the same bee-hive form which commonly marks the dwellings of the coast people, being in like manner raised on posts 6 or 8 feet above the ground."--E. H. Man, _Jour. Anthrop. Inst._, vol. xv.
[132] _Ficus brevicuspis._
[133] A similar ornament is worn in Sumatra, and also among the Dyaks and Punans in Borneo; _vide_ Carl Bock's _Headhunters_, plates 10 and 21.
[134] "Each community of the tribe appears to possess a dialect more or less distinct, but this is what might be expected when we consider the isolation of the several encampments and the difficulty of inter-communication, apart even from the hostile relations in which they stand towards one another."--E. H. Man, _Jour. Anthrop. Inst._, vol. xv.
[135] Such hostility being now active on their side only.
[136] Professor V. Ball, _Jour. Asiatic Soc., Bengal_.
[137] Dr Stoliczka, _Jour. Asiatic Soc., Bengal_.
[138] Pere Barbe, _Jour. Asiatic Soc., Bengal_.
[139] Dr Rink, _Voyage of the Galathea_.
[140] E. H. Man, _Jour. Anthrop. Inst._, 1889.
[141] Pere Barbe, _Jour. Asiatic Soc., Bengal_, vol. xv.
[142] In 1897, a Malay vessel, on a voyage from Olehleh to Pulo Wai, was blown to sea and sunk. Her crew took to their boat and reached Trinkat, whence they were returned by the agent to Acheen in a Chinese junk. In earlier times these men would probably have settled amongst the natives, and so have been instrumental in the further diversifications of the race.
[143] "The Nicobar Islands were peopled from the opposite main and the coast of Pegu, in proof of which the Nicobar and Pegu languages are said, by those (Nicobarese?) acquainted with the latter, to have much resemblance."--Hamilton, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. ii.
[144] _Burmah_, M. and B. Ferrars.
[145] (_a_) In 1899, thirty-five men from the Maldives arrived at Kar Nicobar in a ferry-boat, which resembled a lighter in appearance, and was built of coconut wood. They had gone to Maldive from Addo Atel to buy rice, and encountering a storm on the return journey, had missed their island, and after a two months' voyage (more than 1000 miles) reached Kar Nicobar, having thrown overboard most of their rice to keep their vessel afloat. As they feared to go back in their own boat, they were forwarded to Calcutta in various trading-vessels.
(_b_) "In almost all the villages (central group), Malabars or Bengalese are to be found. The natives encourage them to stay by grants of land, and after a certain number of years they are permitted to make choice of a female companion."--Nicholas Fontana, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. iii.
[146] Professor A. H. Keane, "Man, Past and Present," _Camb. Geog. Series_, 1899.
[147] Comparing the group of Kar Nicobar boys (page 60) with those of Kondul (p. 138), it is not easy, at a glance, to perceive much racial resemblance. The first, scowling and flat-nosed, with prominent teeth and thick lips, and the others intelligent-looking, with almost European features. Yet the eldest of these latter exactly resembled in every way Little John, the man who was my _shikari_ in Kar Nicobar.
[148] Although the average is no more than with the Shom Pe[.n], there is a much greater individual variation of stature.
[149] This is due to the practice, observed and described by Mr Man, of flattening the occiput and forehead of infants by the mother, who gently exerts pressure by means of a small pillow, and the palms and outstretched fingers of both hands for an hour or so at a time.--_Jour. Anthrop. Inst._, Feb. 1894, p. 238.
"It is a custom with them to compress with their hands the occiput of the new-born child; by this method they say the hair remains close to the head as nature intended it, and the upper fore-teeth very prominent out of the mouth."--Nicholas Fontana, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. iii.
[150] Besides the aquiline noses already mentioned, a distinctly Jewish or Papuan feature is occasionally to be met with.
[151] "They have _terms_ answering to 'How d'ye do?' and 'Good-bye.' The following are said in the Central Islands:--
A. _Met chai-chacha-ka?_--How d'ye do? B. _Pehari_ (said in response).--The same to you. A. _Yashe me ra._--Good-bye (said by the person leaving). B. _Tawatse me rakat._--Good-bye, _lit._, Thus you at present moment (said in response). A. _Pehari._--The same to you.
At the other islands there are corresponding terms."--E. H. Man.
[152] V. Solomon.
[153] Professor A. H. Keane, "Man, Past and Present," _Camb. Geog. Series_, 1899.
[154] _Vide_ plate facing 248.
[155] Pere Barbe, _Jour. Asiatic Soc., Bengal._, vol. xv.
[156] Tanamara, headman of Malacca, Nankauri, when questioned on this point, stated that the spirits were all evil:--"What, no got good devil--_hantu baik_? No, all bad; plenty fever-devil, _plen-ty_ devil eat man." But, with reference to this assertion, Mr Man writes:--"The names of certain good spirits have often been given to me at Nankauri, and by Tanamara himself." One inference is, that the latter purposely denied their existence in order to be spared the trouble of answering further questions on the subject.
[157] (_a_) "On the path, at no great distance from the (Dyak) village, rude wooden figures of a man and woman are placed, one on each side opposite to each other, with short wooden spears in their mouths. They are called _Tebudo_, and are said to be inhabited by friendly _hantu_ (spirits) who keep the path clear of inimical spirits."--Chalmers.
(_b_) "The Bed[=a]jo[=e] possess a multitude of large wooden idols called _Hampatong_, as well as other objects which cult or superstition has consecrated. Every habitation of this tribe, as well as those of the Dusuns, has several small wooden idols who are supposed to guard the habitation, protect the rice harvest, preserve the inhabitants against sickness, and to fulfil generally analogous functions. The Dyaks collect, with the same object, skulls of monkeys, bears, and wild cats, which they preserve in little boxes called _kamontoha_, and which they suspend in the houses."--S. Mueller.
(_c_) "As far as we could learn, the only act of worship paid these images is that of offering them food once or twice a month, such as rice, pork, eggs, fowls. On #no# condition will they (Dyaks) consent to give them up, and the only reason assigned is that sickness will be the inevitable consequence."--Doty.
(_d_) "The inland tribes of Borneo are without any definite forms of religious worship; they make idols of wood, but I have never seen any offerings made to them, nor do they regard them apparently as anything more than scarecrows to frighten off evil spirits."--_Folklore in Borneo_, by W. H. Furness.
(_e_) "These figures (_tambatongs_) are not exactly idols in the ordinary sense of the word, as they are not directly worshipped, although representing the religious beliefs of the Dyaks, and regarded with superstitious veneration; they should, perhaps, rather be called talismans, as they are looked upon as charms to keep away evil spirits and ill-luck."--P. 32, _Headhunters of Borneo_, by Carl Bock.
(_f_) "Although I found in a house at Old Affara (a village on Vorkay, one of the southernmost of the Arrus) an image rudely formed of wood, together with a post on which different figures, such as snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and human forms, were carved, and which the owner stated to be intended for preserving the house from evil spirits (_Swangi_), yet it is evident that the Arafuras of Vorkay possess no religion whatsoever.... They certainly hold a feast at the time in which they have perceived that the Christians of Wamma hold one also, namely, at the commencement of the year, when they, in imitation of the Christians, celebrate the advent of the new year.... Of the immortality of the soul they have not the least conception."--Koff's _Voyage of the Dourga_, p. 161.
(_g_) "The Battas believe in demonic agency called _Begu_ for every species of malady.... To drive out these demon monsters ... talismans and charms are employed."--Featherman's _Social History of Mankind_.
[158] (_a_) "Amongst the Dyaks ... newly-married couples do not go to live in a new house of their own, but a compartment is set apart for them in the house of the bride's parents."--Hickson's _North Celebes_, p. 286.
(_b_) "The marriage customs throughout the Sangir, Talant, and Sian Archipelago are based on the old matriarchal system--that is, when a man is married he becomes a member of his wife's family, and must leave his own and go to live in the village or the house of his wife's parents."--P. 197.
(_c_) "When a Dyak marries he enters the family of his wife, and lives in her parents' house till the couple set up for themselves, which is generally not for some time afterwards."--Denison.
(_d_) "If the suitor among the Battas is too poor to pay the price for a wife, he may contract the _ambil anak_ marriage, which obliges him to become a member of the family of the bride's parents and live with them in the same dwelling: he is required to work for his father-in-law, and attend to the ordinary agricultural labour."--_Social History of the Races of Mankind_, A. Featherman.
(_e_) "New couples mostly start life in the young wife's home, the lad working for her parents, and as families come, the elder pairs are established in houses of their own."--_Burmah_, M. and B. Ferrars.
[159] Cf. _A Naturalist in North Celebes_, S. I. Hickson, p. 198.--"In the Sangir Islands the only persons who are free from the matriarchal system are the sons of the rajahs, who do as they please about following their wives." P. 286--"Among the Dyaks of Sarawak we find ... that in some cases the man does not follow the woman; but if he is of higher rank, or the only support of aged parents, the woman is obliged to come and live in his family."
[160] (_a_) "A man may readily obtain a divorce without any better reason than that he has fixed his heart on another woman."--"Customs of the Minahassers," Hickson's _North Celebes_, p. 281.
(_b_) "Divorces are very common; one can scarcely meet with a middle-aged Dyak who has not had two and often three or more wives. Repudiation takes place for the slightest cause--personal dislike or disappointments, a sudden quarrel, bad dreams, discontent with the partner's powers of industry or labour, in fact, any excuse. In fact, marriage is a business of partnership for the purpose of having children, dividing labour, and by means of their offspring providing for old age. It is therefore entered into and dissolved almost at pleasure. The causes are innumerable, but incompatibility of temper is perhaps the most common; when they are tired of each other they do not say so, but put the fault upon an unfavourable dream or a bad omen--either of which is allowed to be a legitimate cause for separation."--St. John.
[161] Side by side with this state of things, which is practically one of free love, a licensed immorality exists among the natives, and there are several brothels or houses of assignation in the village of M[=u]s, population 530!
[162] Cf. _A Naturalist in North Celebes_, S. I. Hickson, p. 197.--"The rajah of Morong, in the Talant Islands, told me, that in case of a divorce the children go 'where they do not cry.'" P. 288--"In some cases, the children, when the parents are divorced, can choose the family to which they will afterwards belong."
[163] Yassan of Kachal possessed three houses and three wives. Offandi, headman of M[=u]s, had two wives, and knew of others similarly situated. "I got two wives now. I no want more than two wives one time; plenty trouble. Before I have other wives; when young, I go with ----."
"Generally speaking, the native (of Sarawak) is content with a single wife; only wealthy men and chiefs have sometimes two or three."--Schwaner.
[164] This is the common practice of the Nicobarese. The fault of one is punished for the benefit of all, and the person directly injured receives little actual compensation. The custom is one that does not encourage litigiousness.
[165] The late "Davy Jones" of Kar Nicobar lived with two women who were sisters of each other; his neighbours looked on with much disapproval, but no one ventured to interfere.
[166] "Among the Battas no marriage ceremonies take place; rich men and rajahs only regale the village by killing a buffalo or hog."--Featherman.
[167] (_a_) _Cf._ St John's _Life in the Forest of the Far East_.--"Besides the ordinary attentions which a young man (of the Sarawak Dyaks) is able to pay the girl he desires to make his wife, as helping her in her work, and carrying home her load of vegetables, as well as making her presents, there is a peculiar testimony of regard that is worthy of note. About nine or ten at night, when the family is supposed to be asleep within the mosquito curtains in the private apartment, the lover quietly slips back the bolt by which the door is fastened on the inside, and enters the room on tip-toe. He goes to the curtains of his beloved, gently awakes her, and she, on hearing who it is, rises at once, and they sit conversing together and making arrangements for the future, in the dark, over a plentiful supply of sireh leaf and betel-nut, which it is the gentleman's duty to provide. If, when awoke, the young lady arises and accepts the prepared betel-nut, happy is the lover, for his suit is in a fair way to prosper; but, if on the other hand, she rises and says, 'Be good enough to blow up the fire,' or 'to light the lamp,' then his hopes are at an end, for that is the usual form of dismissal. Of course if this kind of nocturnal visit is frequently repeated, the parents do not fail to discover it, although it is a point of honour among them to take no notice of their visitor; and if they approve of him, matters take their course, but if not, they use their influence with their daughter to ensure the utterance of the fatal 'Please blow up the fire.'"
(_b_) "Customs of the Minahassers," Hickson's _Celebes_, p. 272.--"Two young people meet at the _mapalus_ (communal gatherings for work, followed by a feast), and over the feasting and singing become interested in one another, and fall in love. Then follows the courtship, which is not supposed to be open and above-board, but is, nominally at least, carried on in secret. It consists in nocturnal visits of the young man to the young woman's house, visits which although frequently attended by immorality, are not necessarily so, and are often perfectly decorous and formal.
"The young woman prepares a mat for her lover, and after dark he comes to visit her. The parents are, of course, aware that their daughter is receiving a visitor, and are indeed proud that she should be thus so sought after; but at the same time they warn her to be cautious. The lover departs again before daybreak, in order that there may be no gossip in the village about their engagement until all is settled. These visits extend over some weeks, and at last one morning he remains until the day has broken, as a sign that the engagement may be formally announced."
[168] _Cf._ Malay custom during the marriage ceremony, of the bride's female friends trying to prevent the entrance of the bridegroom and his companions.
[169] In some places in the south it is said that coconut plantations are held in common by all in the village.
[170] "With regard to _takoia_, there is an observance of tabu when a death occurs. The coconut and pandanus plantation of the deceased is banned, the fruit being allowed to drop and germinate where it lies. The trees are marked by having coconut fronds fastened round their trunks, so no one, even a stranger, can appropriate the fruit through ignorance. As in the case of a large plantation it would be too great a task to mark each tree in this way, only the most conspicuous trees along the boundary are so distinguished, as this suffices to indicate that all within the boundary are included in the _tabu_."--E. H. Man.
[171] Dr Guillemard on "The Papuans," _Australasia_, vol. ii., 1894.
[172] The only place where the domestication of the megapode is recorded is the island of Savo in the Solomons. Here the birds may be seen sitting quietly on the fences about the villages, and the laying-grounds are regularly portioned out amongst the inhabitants.--Vide _Among the Man-eaters_, by John Gaggin; London, Fisher Unwin.
[173] "Their favourite weapons are javelins, which they throw fifty yards; they often poison the point with a subtle drug."--Chopard, _J. I. A._, 1847.
"Lances with points of iron or hardened wood."--Scherzer, _Cruise of the Novara_, 1858; and see p. 281.
[174] _Cf._ "The large quadrangular nut is a 'common object of the sea-shore' in the Malay Islands, and is much used by the natives to catch fish. The fruit is pounded and thrown into the water, and the fish, rising to the surface in a stupefied condition, are easily secured."--P. 188, _Cruise of the Marchesa_, by F. H. H. Guillemard; London, John Murray, 1889.
Also used for the same purpose by natives of the Solomons.--_Vide_ H. B. Guppy's _Solomon Islands_; London, Swan, Sonnenschein.
[175] _Vide_ item 2 of plate facing p. 94.
[176] In some of the islands a pot-cover is made by sewing together a special kind of leaf with long slips of rattan, until a pad quite an inch in thickness is obtained.
[177] In many islands of the Pacific Ocean--Marshalls, Gilbert and Kingsmills, the Carolines, Union, and Ellice, and in New Guinea--the pandanus fruit is used as a food, especially in times of scarcity, but in general the kernel only is eaten, and the inner end of the drupes gnawed off.
[178] Referred to in these pages as _kissat_, _neng_, or #T# bandage, for want of a more accurate expression.
[179] For the dress used at various periods, refer to the authorities quoted in other chapters. The earliest clothing--apart from ornamental cords and string bracelets, etc., as are still used by the Andamanese--seems to have been, for the men a strip of bark cloth, and for the women a short petticoat of grass or coco-palm leaf (_ngong_).
[180] The idea being that the demon who caused the death may fail to recognise the survivors.
[181] M. V. Portman, _Jour. Royal Asiatic Soc._, 1888.
[182] G. Hamilton, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. ii.
[183] _Cf._ "Dyak dishes," in _Headhunters of Borneo_, plate 19.
[184] (_a_) Of thirty individuals of the _Galathea's_ crew engaged in an exploring expedition up the Galathea River, and caught one night in a rain-storm which compelled them to remain in the forest wringing wet, no fewer than twenty-one fell ill of fever, which ultimately proved fatal in four cases.--Vide _Corvetten Galathea's Jordourseiling_, 1852.
(_b_) During a stay of thirty-two days amongst the islands, the frigate _Novara_, with a crew of 320 men, had six cases of fever, but, when in the Straits of Malacca, fifteen more developed the same illness. All recovered, and those of the company who had never set foot on shore, furnished the largest contingent.--Vide _Cruise of the Novara_, 1858.
(_c_) Of the five from the _Terrapin_ who ascended the Galathea River and spent a night in the interior of the island, each was down with malaria either during the voyage to, or after arrival at, Singapore.
[185] Nankauri(?)
[186] Dalrymple, in his _Oriental Repertory_, states, that Captain Weldon surveyed the Nicobars in 1687, and sent the survey, together with a history of the islands, by a Spanish priest to the East India Company. It does not appear to have been ever printed.
[187] The parallel of 7 deg. N. lat. bisects the island.
[188] In this sentence of his description, Dampier's observations are incorrect.
[189] "Larum." If they called it so, the name was probably acquired from Portuguese visitors.
[190] Always greyish-white.
[191] This is the true bread-fruit (_Artocarpus incisa_), which does not grow in the Nicobars, and with which the fruit of the pandanus is nominally confounded by the English-speaking natives and by several of those Europeans who have visited the Archipelago.
[192] This type of house is still built. See photograph taken at Pulo Milo, p. 124.
[193] Outriggers.
[194] Nowadays they invariably paddle, and have no oars.
[195] This is probably an exaggeration, but there is no doubt that the island carried then a far greater population than it does at the present.
[196] The Pasangan River has two mouths, of which the western is named Jangka.
[197] Kampong Jangka, on the left bank of the river of that name.
[198] Nicobar.
[199] Planksheers(?)
[200] Probably a Licuala.
[201] Ambergris(?)
[202] "Ambergris, which is a waxy concretion formed in the intestine of the sperm-whale, is occasionally found on the shores of the Nicobar Islands. At times the carcase of a whale has been found ashore, and on examination a valuable quantity (several hundred rupees worth) of ambergris has been thus obtained."--E. H. Man.
[203] _Cf._ Shom Pe[.n] spears.
[204] Banana.
[205] This same iron rod is used in the rainy season as a means for the prevention of thunder and lightning.
[206] These dances are practised by the guests from the time they receive the first intimation.
[207] Called also _Kofente_--place of pollution. The natives have a horror of this spot, which nothing will induce them to visit at night.
[208] The above is the M[=u]s proceeding; at Lapati there is more elaboration. The spacious square of _Elpanam_ is thoroughly cleared, and the huts and fences of the traders dismantled, a separate place in the jungle being given them. In the centre of _Elpanam_ an iron spike (_merahta_) is fixed and covered with leaves. Then the _tamiluanas_, adorned with silver and garlands, arrive in procession, and suddenly pulling up the pike, throw it into the sea. After washing their feet they come back to the dances.
This ceremony is by way of augury as to the prospects for the ensuing season.
[209] _Vide_ p. 303.
[210] The reason for these proceedings given to Captain Gardner by the natives in 1851 was, "because they do thus in England," for so several captains had told them!
[211] "Amongst the Arafuras (Aru Islands) the treatment of their dead betrays in the greatest degree their uncivilised condition, and the uncertainty which exists among them as to their future state. When a man dies all his relations assemble and destroy all the goods he may have collected during his life, even the gongs are broken to pieces and thrown away. In their villages I met with several heaps of porcelain plates and basins, the property of deceased individuals, the survivors entertaining an idea that they have no right to make use of them."--Kolff's _Voyage of the Dourga_, p. 166.
[212] In the matter of names, a Kar Nicobarese tries to please everyone with whom he is acquainted. There is often his own native appellation, an English one, another by which he is known to the Indian traders, and a fourth under which he does business with the Burmese!
[213] G. Hamilton, _Asiatic Researches_, vol. ii.
[214] This monoply is due to their geographical position. The Kar Nicobarese find it as much as they dare venture to do, to go so far as Chaura for their large canoes and pots. As it is, many lives are lost at sea. (In 1899 at least 29 were drowned in returning from this island, and more recently 12 or 13 were similarly lost.) Chaura is situated midway between Kar Nicobar and Nankauri Harbour and Kamorta, where the principal purchases are made by the Chaura people.
[215] "I was present on a certain occasion at M[=u]s ... having brought Tanamara with me from Nankauri. In strolling through the village we caught sight of a fine large canoe, which he recognised as having been sold by him to a certain native of Chaura. Offandi proved to be the owner, and he, on being questioned, said that he had bought it from the same man. On further enquiry it was found, that while the Chaura middleman had _promised_ to give 25 rupees in kind to Tanamara (only part of which had yet been paid), he would not let Offandi have it till he had delivered to him a long list of articles (_e.g._ cloth, spoons, tobacco, etc.), which, on being totalled up, were found to amount to about 105 rupees in value."--E. H. Man.
[216] E. H. Man.
[217] "In the morning dances commenced in the open air. Two immense circles of men and women were formed, linked hand in hand, one circle within the other. The dance continued for hours, accompanied by a monotonous chant. Sometimes the two circles moved in opposite directions, or expanded to their utmost stretch and contracted again by advancing towards the centre. In posturing they kept time with the singing, all turning to right and then to left, raising their arms or letting them fall together. The inner circle knelt on the left knee, placing their heads to the ground, but still holding each other, while the outer circle, also hand-in-hand, stepped over them and became the inner one. This was frequently repeated, and in this and other movements the dance consisted. The circles consisted of about 200 people each."--"A Visit to Car Nicobar, 1851," by Captain Gardner, _Singapore Review_, vol. ii.
[218] _Diary of Catechist V. Solomon._
[219] "It is worthy of note that this animal differs more conspicuously from its congeners than is the case with any of the other mammals." But even it--were it indigenous and not a stray introduction--one would expect to find on others of the islands (such as Kachal) similar in surface and vegetation to Great and Little Nicobar. It no doubt was established in these two last before they became disunited, as sufficient time has elapsed for a distinct variation to occur, while the far greater depth of sea between them and Kachal would indicate a separation anterior to the arrival of the species.
[220] This table and the foregoing quotations, are from the paper on the "Mammals of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands," by Mr Gerrit S. Miller, vol xxiv., _Proceedings of the National Museum, U.S.A._
[221] The presence of a megapode in the Nicobars, a genus that occurs also in the Indo-Malayan region, is the most interesting feature of the islands' avifauna. Dr A. R. Wallace says, in _The Distribution of Animals_: "The Megapodidae are highly characteristic of the Australian region ... only sending two species beyond its limits (_M. cumingi_ and _M. lowi_ in the Philippine and North-West Borneo Islands), and another in the Nicobar Islands, separated by about 1800 miles from its nearest ally in Lombok. The Philippine species offers little difficulty, for these birds are found on the smallest islands and sandbanks, and can evidently pass over a few miles of sea with ease; but the Nicobar bird is a very different case, because none of the numerous intervening islands offer a single example of the family. Instead of being a well-marked or differentiated form, as we should expect to find if its remote and isolated habitat were due to natural causes, it so nearly resembles some of the closely allied species from the Moluccas and New Guinea, that had it been found with them it would not have been thought specifically distinct. I therefore believe that it is probably an introduction by the Malays (Dr Guillemard states that this bird is often seen in captivity in Malaysia), and that, owing to the absence of enemies and general suitability of conditions, it has thriven in the islands, and has become slightly differentiated from the parent stock."
The megapode also occurs on the Cocos Islands, but not on the Andamans intervening between these and the Nicobars. This may be explained either by the fact that it may formerly have existed on the Andamans, where it has been exterminated by the carnivorous palm-civet common in that group, or that, owing to the hostility of the natives, voyagers were deterred from stopping there and thus causing the introduction of the bird, a course they would be the less persuaded to attempt in that there were no coconuts to attract them.
[222] _Vide_ A. O. Hume, _Stray Feathers_, vols. ii. and iv.
[223] From A. L. Butler's "Birds of the Andamans and Nicobars," _Proc. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc._, vols. xii. and xiii.
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TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:
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End of Project Gutenberg's In the Andamans and Nicobars, by C. Boden Kloss