From the Australians they differ but slightly in mental capacity, and civilizational development.[223] Perhaps their very low level in this respect is the lower of the two.
The language seems to have fallen into not less than four mutually unintelligible forms of speech.
Their hair constituted their chief physical difference. This was curled, frizzy, or mopped.
The a priori view of their origin is that they crossed Torres Straits from Australia. I have, however, stated elsewhere that a case may be made out for either Timor or New Caledonia being their mother countries; in which case the stream of population has gone round Australia rather than across it. Certain peculiarities of the Tasmanian language give us the ground for thus demurring to the primâ facie view of their descent. The same help us to account for the differences in texture of the hair.[70]
FOOTNOTES:
[63] Malacca, Wellesley Province, Penang, and Sincapore. For excellent information about the ethnology of these parts see Newbold's "British Settlements," and the "Journal of the Indian Archipelago."
[64] From ἀμφὶ (amfi) roundabout, and νῆσος (næsos) an island.
[65] Logan in "Journal of the Indian Archipelago," vol. i.
[66] Logan and Thompson in "Journal of the Indian Archipelago," vol. i.
[67] Especially Crawfurd's "Indian Archipelago," Sir Stamford Raffles' "History of Java," and Marsden's "Sumatra."