New-York tribune., 1908-12-20

ceDtfonaI chronological interest and value These
islands in the Bay OF Bengal, arm of the Indian
Ocean. we're almost unknown lands until a COM
parativeIy recent date and are still practically un-
known TO the general reader The race OF natives
is rapidly approaching extinction.
Dr.. Charles ". Mead, of the department OF etl-
noogy in describing the collection, said yesJerda-y
that the Audananese belonged TO the Negrlto race,
a small but well formed people. with short trlzz-ed
hair and skin ranging in color from dark copper to
sooty black They have remained secluded from
the outer world ever since they peoplec the islands
in the Stone Age and the uniformity So marked I'D
their physical mental characteristics Is due 10
this isolation Fabulous stories were told OF these
islanders II early times. Il is thought that Pteeai-
referred 20 the Audamanese in describing people
as "anthropophagi. whose heads grew beTea-l
their shoulders Il also said that t1ey L'tl
tails like horses There IS no PROOF thaI they pE1--
tise calnlUalIsIn.
Dr. Mead explained that the belief that their heads
grew from below their shoulders and that they had
tails like horses could be traced TO their custom u
wearing the skulls Of departed relatives suspended
by q strap about the neck and q tailihe HuneH 'i
paudanus leaves attached 10 their belts behind
Clothes We're unknown. CircIets about the neck,
arms and legs. and waistband with q pendant
bunch OF leaves shells and beads. were generally
worn but in some localities even these were DIS
pensed with
some time after the establishment Of the penal
settlement at Port Blair said Dr. Mead. .ine
aborigtues in the vicinity were required by Law TO
wear a sort OF fr0ck. The islanders idea of lie
purpose Of this regulation is well Illustrated by
an amusing incident related 10y Dr. O. +. Dobs5n
who visited the Andamans TO collect geological
sDeciuens Dr Dobson said his party was received
hv the wife Of the chief, who had hastily douued
a frock provided by the government m receive
visitors in but very soon aferward. perceivag that
no women were in his boat. she got rld OF that
unnecessary incumbrance and presented herself in
native garb adorned by single leaf garter ted
below one knee and q necklIce composed of ne
finger and toe bones Of her ancestors
Tattooing mas been generally practised through
or5+ the islands The instrument formerly IN Use
was a fake Of quartz. but since the advent OF The
whites use has been made oH piece Of glass
Their meeting and parting customs are OF curious
interest They testify their JOY by excessive Weep
ing After an absence Of d few weeks when rela-
tives meet they together with their around
each others necks and indulge in loud vaiIiugs
until they are nearly exhausted. On parting ne
guest takes the hand of his host ana blows It,
the compliment being returned AS the guest takes
mis- leave he shouts out invitations and promises
of future meetings until out Of earshot.
The marriage ceremony consists In the CHIEF OF
the tribe leading the bashfuI bride up equally
bashfuI bridegroom and seating her ia his lap.
Then the chief gives the young couple some advice
as TO their future conduct. Among other curious
customs ls the wearing Of prepared human skulls.
already referred 10. token OF respect for lost
members of the family. These skulls ara carefully
cleaned and painted, after which pendants with
shells and fringe 1ttached with a strap. BY
which they be suspended around the neck OF
the wearer It is not obligatory 10 wear this sign OF
mourning for any great length OF time. and IL is
passed from one TO another Of the relatives