In the Andamans and Nicobars: The Narrative of a Cruise in the Schooner "Terrapin"

by C. Boden Kloss

INDEX

A.	= "Andamanese" or "Andaman Islands"
N.	= "Nicobarese" or "Nicobar Islands"
K.N.	= "Kar Nicobarese" or "Kar Nicobar"
S.P.	= "Shom Peṅ"

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 Peṅ, [215-220]
Derivation, [215-217]
Population, [215]
Hostility to Nicobarese, [76], [215], [220]
Appearance, [217], [218]
Measurements of some Shom Peṅ, [353], [354]
Disposition, [220]
Language, [220]
Comparison of some Shom Peṅ 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]
Marco Polo (thirteenth century), [177]
Master Cæsar 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" "Önges," and under "Port Blair")
Anoi-ila, K.N., [295]
Anúla Kopáh, K.N., [292]
Account of this ceremony as carried out at Lapáti, 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 nicobarulæ), [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 Mūs, [296]
Reception of the Mūs 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 Peṅ, [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 Peṅ, [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 Röepstorff, F. H., murder of, [96]
Déūshi, cf. Hentá, 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 Peṅ, [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 Peṅ, [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 Peṅ, [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]
Kópenhéat, [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 Peṅ, [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 Peṅ, 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 Peṅ, [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]
Hentá, cf. Déūshi, 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 Peṅ, [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 Sáwi, account of, [305], [306]
Interment of a man of repute of Lapáti, 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-kwák, [110], [112], [113]
Kanaia, [113]
Houses, [112]
Natives, [109], [111], [115]
Dress and ornaments, [109], [115]
Yassan, [111], [116]
Déūshi, [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 Röepstorff (1883), [96]
Mount Edgecombe, [98]
Expedition Harbour, [98]
Reputed headquarters of piratical savages, [98]
Dring Harbour, [98]
Olta-möit, 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]
Kantéra, K.N., [302]
Kareau, N., [85], [86]
Kare-yeng-chón, K.N., [287]
Kallu, [224]
Kar Nicobar
General topography, [45], [46], [61], [64], [65]
Kœnig's account of Kar Nicobar (1778), [276], [277], [279]
Geology, [46], [64]
Earthquakes felt at, [205]
Tide-race, [45]
Landing, [46], [60], [61]
Sáwi 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]
Mūs 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]
Kofenté, [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]
Tá-chökla, [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]
Ñá-Kopáh (feast for the dead), [286], [287]
Kare-yeng-chón (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]
Anúla Kopáh (digging the graves), [292]
Kiriam Anúla (digging dance), [292]
Kiriam-nga-rit-roi-ta-oka (dance for clearing up coconut rubbish), [292]
Mafai tapira (grand Mafai dance), [292]
Anúla Kopáh, account of this ceremony as carried out at Lapáti, [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]
Yintovná 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]
Amutná Kuv (revealing to the invalid), [302], [303]
Burial ceremonies, [303-305]
Account of interment of headman of Sáwi, [305], [306]
Fota Elmot (wiping away tears), [306]
Account of interment of a man of repute at Lapáti, [306], [307]
Mourning, [305]
Converse with the dead, [296]
Instance of ceremonies accompanying canoe buying, [309]
Sequel to the loss of a Mūs canoe, [296]
Reception of Mūs 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 anúla, 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]
Kofenté, 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]
Kópenhéat, 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 Peṅ 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 Peṅ, [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]
Menchál, [127]
Area, [127]
Flora, [127]
Geology, [127]
Menluanas, N., [116], [232]
Ceremonies, [233]
Meráhta, K.N., [287]
Meröe, 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 Röepstorff, [96]
Of Captain Owen, [212]
Mūs village. See "Kar Nicobar"
Music, the Nicobarese dance-, [87]
Musical instrument, A., [189]
Instruments used by Nicobarese, [87], [250]
Muskets prohibited, N., [244]
Ñá-kopáh, 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]
Hentá, [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 Peṅ 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]
Hentá, [77], [85]
Hentá-koi, [77]
Superstitious beliefs, Kareau, [85-86]
Tamiluanas, [232]
Menluanas, [116], [232], [233]
Cleanliness, [248]
Dress and ornaments, [229], [249]
Body painting, [249]
Tá-chökla, [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 Peṅ"
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 Cæsar 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]
Kœping (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]
Kœnig's account, [213]. See "Kœnig"
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-kwák, N., [110], [112], [113]
Olta-möit, N., [98]
Önges, 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]
Phœnix 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]
Önge 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]
Sáwi 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 Peṅ, 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]
Tá-chökla, 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 Peṅ, [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, Önge, [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]

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Printed by
Oliver and Boyd
Edinburgh

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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°, while in 1866 the Andaman Committee found the temperature to be between 158° and 163°. 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 Öngés, 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, Encyclopædia 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] Kissát 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, Off Lapáti Village, Car Nicobar.

(Sd.) R. Middleton, Commander. 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, March 3rd, 1857.

Barque Rochester of London. (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, January 1873."

(Sd.) W. L. C. Beresford, Commander.

[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 Peṅ, 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] Inúanga.

[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.

Fontana, Asiatic Researches, vol. iii.

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] Père 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 Röepstorff'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 Röepstorff 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 Père Barbe, Jour. Asiatic Soc. Bengal, vol. xv.

[60] These are all imported, many in order to sell to Kar Nicobarese.

[61] Père 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-yúang, 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 menlúana ("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	Láök
Teressa	Taihlong
Bompoka	Poähat
Kamorta	Nankauri
Nankauri	Nankauri
Trinkat	Laful (East Id.)
Kachal	Tehnyu
Meroë	Miroë
Trak	Fuya
Treis	Ta-aṅ
Menchal	Menchál
Little Nicobar	Ong
Pulo Milo	Miloh
Great Nicobar	Lo-öng
Kondul	Lamongshe
Kabra	Konwaña

[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 Röepstorff 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, Kjöbenhaven, 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 = Láful.

[81]

	Nicobarese.	Shom Peṅ.
Spear,	nuit,	allai.
Finger,	bewait,	noité.
Pandanus fruit,	larūm,	munkuang.

[82] "The coast natives, man for man, are superior to the Shom Peṅ, 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 Peṅ with wooden spears, thrown from inside the hut, the latter fled, carrying away the two wounded men. I have never heard of Shom Peṅ 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 Cæsar 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 Abbé Renaudet, in Pinkerton's Collection of Travels, p. 183.

[116] "Travels, A.D. 1315-1330," Hakluyt Library.

[117] Extractes of Master Cæsar 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., Kjöbenhaven, 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] Père Barbe, Jour. Asiatic Soc., Bengal.

[139] Dr Rink, Voyage of the Galathea.

[140] E. H. Man, Jour. Anthrop. Inst., 1889.

[141] Père 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 Peṅ, 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-chachá-ka?—How d'ye do?
B. Pehárí (said in response).—The same to you.
A. Yáshe me ra.—Good-bye (said by the person leaving).
B. Tawátse me rakát.—Good-bye, lit., Thus you at present moment (said in response).
A. Pehárí.—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] Père 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 Bedājoē 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. Müller.

(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 Mūs, 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 Mūs, 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 kissát, 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° 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 Peṅ 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 Kofenté—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 Mūs proceeding; at Lapáti 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 (meráhta) 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 Mūs ... 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 Megapodidæ 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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