there probably arose two diverging branches, one of which turned towards
the south-east the other towards the north-west. The Australians and Dravidas
are remnants of the former, whereas the Nubians and Mediterranese are
descended from the latter.”1
“According to Haeckel, three of the twelve species of man - the
Dravidas (Deccans; Sinholese), Nubians, and Mediterranese (Caucasians,
Basque, Semites, Indo-Germanic tribes)” agree in several characteristics,
which seem to establish a close relationship between them, and to distinguish
them from the remaining species. The chief of these characteristics is
the strong development of the beard which, in a other species, is either
entirely wanting or but very scanty. The hair of their heads is in most
cases more or less curly. Other characteristics also seem to favour our
classing them in one main group of curly-haired men (Euplocomi); at present
the primaeval species, Homo Dravida is only represented by the Deccan
tribes in the southern part of Hindustan, and the neighbouring inhabitants
of the mountains on the north-east of Ceylon. But, in earlier times this
race seems to have occupied the whole of Hindustan, and to have spread
even further. It shows on the one hand, traits of relationship to the
Australians and Malays: on the other hand to the Mongols and Mediterranese.
Their skin is either of a light or dark brown. The hair of their heads
is, as in Mediterranese, more or less curled; never quite smooth, like
that of the Euthycomi, nor actually woolly like that of the Ulotrichi.
The strong development of the beard is also like that of the Mediterranese.
Their forehead is generally high, their nose prominent and narrow, their
lips slightly protruding. Their language is now very much mixed with Indo-Germanic
elements, but seems to have been originally derived from a very primaeval
language.”2
1.H.C.Vol.II,
pp.425-6
2. C.T.S.I, Introduction, pp xix & xx
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