APPENDIX A (P) :
REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE
 DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY
 

Anthropological survey was undertaken among the hill tribes of Travancore-Cochin like the Muthuvan, Mannan, Ulladan, Mala-aryan, Vethuvan, Malapantaram etc. Apart from the collection of somatometric data, the field investigators were also able to collect data on blood groups, secretor factors and tasting ability of the different tribes.

Systematic survey was carried out among the Abor tribes of the N.E.F.A. region and data on Abor life and culture were collected.

Anthropological survey was carried out among certain tribes of Tripura State.

Data on Social Anthropology were collected among the Khasi tribes of Assam and the Oraons of Bihar.

Several prehistoric human and animal remains- which had been excavated from Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Sanur, Maski, etc., were chemically treated and reconstructed. Earth from inside the skulls and long bones were taken out in order to protect them from the action of saltpetre. A good deal of progress has been made in this respect.

Several original papers on different branches of Anthropology particularly on somatometry, serology and cultural anthropology were published in different scientific journals. A number of original papers were read before the Indian Science Congress at Hyderabad.

Biological, cultural, somatometrical and serological data-

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collected from amongst the various aboriginal tribes were analysed in the laboratories.

Chemical analysis of cereals which are consumed by the Muthuvan of Travancore-Cochin State, and some vegetables which are consumed by certain tribes of Tripura was conducted. Some samples of millet collected from the North-East Frontier Agency area were also analysed. The alcohol content of beer used by the Nokte Naga, North-East Frontier Agency, was determined.

Notes on Abor dialects and on Assamese scripts were prepared.

The preparation of Hindi, Bengali, Urdu and Tamil equivalents for technical terms in Anthropology is in' progress.

To study the growth and maturity of Indian children, systematic investigation was carried on at Barisha, 24 Parganas, West Bengal.

The trainees of the Department received intensive training in theoretical as well as practical work in various branches of An- thropology.

Films on tribal life and records on tribal music and languages have also been prepared.

Several new scientific books and periodicals were added to the library, and the preparation of a subject catalogue to periodicals is being carried on. The second Bulletin of the Department is under publication.

Andaman Sub-station

Visits were paid to the Little Andaman Island, and valuable data gathered from the Onge on their customs, habits and mode of life.