Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-02-01

Al on The Meddas OF Oeylou, perhaps
the eavages lowest in the scale OF intelli-
gence in the world. Some Of these singu.
lar pesple--two men and three women
were exhibited to the Prince of Wales
before leaving the leland. The remnants
of the Weddas occupy the eastern por-
ton OF the island and are spread over an
area Of ninety miles by forty in extent
They are divided into Jungle Weddas
and the semi-civilized or Village Weddas,
and It was to the habits Of the former
that the author Of The paper had more
particularly directed his attention. Their
nomadic habits make estimation Of their
numbers mere guess-work, but they were
not supposed to exceed $50 iu 1858
They have no sort of dwelling, but pass
their time roaming about in the open air,
taking shelter from storms under rocks
and in hollow trees. Their food consists
Of honey, lizards, monkeys, deer and
Wild boars. Their arms are the bow and
arrowiand they are assisted in the chase
by dogs, which are their only domest-
Gated animals. They drink nothing but
water, which, however, ia never used for
absolutiou, they having an idea that
washing would take away their strength.
They chew the bark of certain trees, but
do not use tobacco II any shape. The
tallest Weddas described we're about FIVE
feet three inches, and the shortest four
feet one inch; but Mr.. Hartshorne has
seen one, a young male, apparently Of
eighteen, who stood five feet four aud
three.quarter inches Notwithstanding
their small size and slight physique the
strength which they possess in the arms
and especially in the left arm is ve~y re
markable. This is due to their constant
use of the Bow, which is six feet long
and pulls from forty-eight to 6ty six
pounds, with an arrow three feet six
inches ia length. This is pulled to the
head, and they dwell on their aim some
times for couple of minutes without
the sIightest tremoE of the lei. arm be.
ing perceptible. On one occasion the
author saw a Weddas shoot dog thirty
five feet of, the arrow passing through
nearly the whole length Of the animal,
entering the hind quarter and coming
out at the shoulder.
Their only other weapon ia small ak.
Fire is still occasionally produced by
the fre-stick, which is made OF the same
wood as their arrows. which they obtain
in exchange for hides and beeswax.
photographs we're exhibited to show their
general appearance, and these brought
ont the most striking characteristics
viz extreme shortness Of the thumbs
and sharply pointed elbows, Their
connteuances are absolutely devoid Of
any expression Of intelligence, and their
utter neglect of their persons gave an
air of extreme barbgrism. The women
wore necklaces and ornaments in their
ears, for which beads aud empty cart
ridge-cases are employed. Their faces
wear an expression Of great uphappi-
mesa, and they never laugh. all attempts
10 induce them to laugh utterly failing;
indeed the exhibition of laughter by
another person produces unmistakable
expressions of disgnst. When asked
Why they do notlsugh they reply; "Why
should we? What is there to laugh at
They have no words to convey the idea
of colors or numbers and they cannot
count on their fingers. One OF the most
intelligent OF the men had utterly for
gotten the names OF his father and
mother, whe we're dead, and had great
difficulty in recalling the name OF his
wife, whom he had seen only three days
before. A Village Wedda, confined for
the murder of person whom he thought
had bewitched him, after three months
attendance at school had only been able
to learn nine letters and eighteen mum.
bsrs. They have no idea of the soul or of a,
future state, and though they speak Of
q superior being, a man questioned on
this point did not know whether it was a
good or an evil being He was not afraid
Of it, eFdiG be pray to it. When death
occurs the body is yrapped in hide and
buried by the men, who Olga grave with
their halchets and pointed stakes No
women are allowed to be present at the
inssrment Nothing is put in the grave
nor is the spot ever revisited An offer
ing of food is mads TO the dead, with the
adjuration, "Ye dead person, take ye
this food" but the viands are then 1i,
yided and consumed by those present
They have 10 idea Of stealing, and po-
lygamy and polyS1dry are unknown.
Though they marry their Bistegs, they
never marry the eldest sister, and there
Is no marfisge ceremony beyond a pre-.
sentation Of food TO the parents Of the
bride, Who has no choice 10 the selection
Of her husband, the subjectiop oi yo#en
being complete. The eldest male Wedda
Is regarded with pstriSrohal respect;
but all otassvs eye equal, caste being IN,
known. Very iittn,s information ia to be
derived from their languasse except that
il seems 70 be agreed among pnS S"olo-
giSts that it is the only savage language
which is unmistakable Arysp origin.